one step forward, two steps back

one step forward, two steps back

Marked by a small amount progress that is then eradicated by a large amount of setbacks, problems, or difficulties. So many administrative hurdles have been thrown up along the way that this whole project has been one step forward and two steps back ever since we began!
See also: back, one, step, two
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

one step ˌforward, two steps ˈback

(saying) used to say that every time you make progress, something bad happens that means that the situation is worse than before: Trying to get the law changed has been a frustrating business. It’s a case of one step forward, two steps back.
See also: back, one, step, two
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • one step forward, two back
  • one step forward and two steps back
  • if that
  • as many as
  • as many as...
  • in the order of (some amount)
  • in/of the order of
  • of the order of (some amount)
  • budget dust
  • amount to
References in periodicals archive
"It feels like this is one step forward, two steps back. Shropshire Council has been going round in circles and I am losing my patience.
FireEye's narrative since its acquisition of Mandiant in 2014 is "one step forward, two steps back" and this was the case once again in Tuesday's earnings release, Ives wrote in a note.
The post Tala Square: one step forward, two steps back appeared first on Cyprus Mail .
Over the past few years, transgender issues have rarely been out of the media spotlight - often meaning one step forward, two steps back for the trans community.
Dev pushes the couple together in an exquisitely agonizing dance of one step forward, two steps back as DJ's wounded pride and Trisha's social awkwardness turn every conversation into a worst-case scenario.
BY DAVID HOLMES david.holmes01@reachplc.com @Sherlock1968 IT feels like one step forward, two steps back for the PS80m Barons Quay shopping centre in Northwich, where one retailer has signed up only for others to disappear.
IT was one step forward, two steps back for Birmingham Moseley, as they were beaten by National One's bottom side Loughborough Students.
One step forward, two steps back? Or one step forward - and more passengers expected to cram themselves onto fewer trains between 8am and 9am and 5pm and 6pm?
There had long been questions over his work-rate but whenever he appeared to be making headway, he seemed to pick up a knock: one step forward, two steps back. However, there have never been any questions over his ball-carrying.
One step forward, two steps back?Pakistan and India have agreed to end harassing each other's envoys.
Considering such a regressive step of KP government, it is not wrong to say that 'one step forward, two steps back' is the principle KP government follows in virtually every aspect of governance.
It's a clear case of one step forward, two steps back for the once-proud movie fiesta that championed such exceptional films as 'Himala,' 'Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?,' 'Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo,' 'Ina Ka ng Anak Mo,' 'Karnal' and 'Kisapmata.'
"It's been one step forward, two steps back for the majority of the season."
So there we have it: instead of devolution being a process not an event, it's sometimes a case of one step forward, two steps back.
IT was a case one step forward, two steps back for Manchester United as they were made to wait to seal their Champions League knockout place.