寸すん進しん尺しゃく退たい

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

one step forward, many steps backward; little to gain and much to lose

A yojijukugo describing a situation where progress is minimal and setbacks are large; often used to criticize a plan or effort that is not worth the risk.

• その計けい画かくは寸すん進しん尺しゃく退たいに終おわるだろう。

  That plan will likely end up being one step forward and many steps back.

• リスクが大おおきすぎて、寸すん進しん尺しゃく退たいの感かんが否いなめない。

  The risk is too great; I can't help but feel it's a case of little to gain and much to lose.