one step forward, two steps back
Progress then reversal
Progress that's immediately undone or reversed, leaving you worse off than before.
The phrase captures the frustration of setbacks that outpace gains: Every time we fix one bug, two more appear—one step forward, two steps back.
Often describes situations where effort yields net negative results.
- trial-and-errorSolving by successive approximation
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- setbackReverse in progress
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- back to square oneReturn to the beginning
regression · losing ground · learning curve · baby steps · false start · paradox · yin and yang · vicious cycle · determination · hope · resilience · uphill battle · personal growth · habit formation · improvement · discouragement · Sisyphean · reversal
one step forward, two steps backonward and upward
Phrase urging continued progress
continuous improvement · moving forward · making headway · gaining ground · leaps and bounds
one step forward, two steps backvirtuous cycle
Self-perpetuating beneficial pattern
snowball effect · full steam ahead · firing on all cylinders · exponential growth · smooth sailing
one step forward, two steps backbuilding momentum
gathering steam · on a roll · gaining steam · picking up speed · snowballing