'three-forward-one-back' originates from English, derived as a numerical variant of the proverb 'two steps forward, one step back'.

'three-forward-one-back' evolved from the older proverb 'two steps forward, one step back' (also seen as 'two steps forward and one step back'); speakers have created numeric variants (e.g. three forward, one back) to describe similar patterns of progress and setback.

Initially the original proverb described modest or halting progress despite effort; the variant 'three-forward-one-back' keeps that basic sense but emphasizes a larger ratio of progress to setback.