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.
その計画は寸進尺退に終わるだろう。
That plan will likely end up being one step forward and many steps back.
The risk is too great; I can't help but feel it's a case of little to gain and much to lose.