one step forward, two steps back

Etymology
Derived from the idiom "two steps forward, one step back", which originates with an anecdote about a frog in a well.

Noun

 * 1)  A situation in which progress is more than offset by adverse developments.
 * We got all the roofing removed, but the chimney was damaged and we discovered that some rafters had to be replaced. One step forward, two steps back. Or maybe three.