二に進しん一いっ退たい

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

two steps forward, one step back; alternating progress and regression

Describes a situation where progress and setbacks repeat, so that overall advancement is slow or uncertain. Often used for negotiations, recovery from illness, or project status.

• 交こう渉しょうは二に進しん一いっ退たいの状じょう態たいが続つづいている。

  The negotiations have been going back and forth without clear progress.

• 病びょう状じょうは二に進しん一いっ退たいで、まだ予よ断だんを許ゆるさない。

  His condition alternates between improvement and deterioration, and we cannot be optimistic yet.