a calamitous mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a calamitous mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant error that leads to disastrous consequences. Example: "The decision to ignore the warning signs proved to be a calamitous mistake for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If so, it was a calamitous mistake.

The Economist

It proved to be a calamitous mistake not to use an autocue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Almost everyone now agrees the 1982 war was a calamitous mistake, not just because the invasion was repelled, but because it was initiated by a dictatorship.

The Guardian

Christensen has filled the role with distinction for the most part this season but his wayward pass in the 75th minute was a calamitous mistake that could have serious ramifications for his team's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

The Guardian - Sport

Some of the Palestinians now thrusting themselves forward, notably Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), a former prime minister now elected as the new chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, have made no secret of their belief that by launching a violent intifada after the failure of Bill Clinton's Camp David summit four years ago, the Palestinians made a calamitous mistake.

The Economist

The consensus among people I spoke to today was that the move is a calamitous mistake - the last gasp of an entombed politician reaching out of the half-closed casket only to bang the few remaining nails into his own coffin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But over time attitudes do change and therefore the Conservative party has to pursue these things over the long term consistently.Bagehot: What's your biggest political regret?WH: I don't think I made any calamitous mistake on any issue.

The Economist

It seems that the attack on MH17 may have been a calamitous error by ill-trained operators mistaking the passenger jet for a military target.

The Economist

That calamitous mistake led to a civil war costing perhaps 100,000 lives.

The Economist

Roberto Martínez's 10 men responded valiantly to the calamitous mistake that resulted in Howard's dismissal and Ki Sung-yueng's match-winning penalty but could find no way past Mannone.

The Guardian - Sport

Even before Toure's calamitous mistake, midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe had gone close after catching Liverpool's defence napping in the opening minute.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a calamitous mistake", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the severe and far-reaching consequences of the error to justify the strong adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "a calamitous mistake" for minor errors. Save this phrase for situations where the mistake genuinely leads to significant negative outcomes, such as financial ruin or severe reputational damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a calamitous mistake" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of error. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, emphasizing the gravity and impact of the mistake. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and suitable for formal writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a calamitous mistake" is a phrase used to describe an error with devastating consequences. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While not overly frequent, it's commonly found in news and opinion contexts. It's essential to reserve this phrase for situations where the mistake truly warrants such a strong descriptor, as overusing it can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "a disastrous error" or "a catastrophic blunder" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disastrous error

Replaces "calamitous" with "disastrous", emphasizing the catastrophic nature of the mistake.

a catastrophic blunder

Substitutes both "calamitous" and "mistake" to convey a sense of immense failure and devastation.

a fateful error

Focuses on the idea that the mistake had a significant, negative impact on subsequent events.

a grievous error

Highlights the severe and regrettable nature of the error.

an unfortunate misjudgment

Softens the impact by using "unfortunate" and "misjudgment", suggesting a lack of foresight.

a monumental miscalculation

Emphasizes the scale and impact of the miscalculation.

a tragic oversight

Highlights the sad consequences resulting from a failure to notice or consider something important.

a devastating error in judgment

Elaborates on the mistake by adding "in judgment" to emphasize the faulty decision-making process and the devastating results.

a critical lapse

Indicates a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment that had significant negative consequences.

a regrettable lapse in judgment

Highlights the feeling of sorrow and regret associated with the poor decision.

FAQs

How can I use "a calamitous mistake" in a sentence?

Use "a calamitous mistake" to describe an error that has devastating and far-reaching consequences. For example: "Ignoring the expert's advice proved to be "a calamitous mistake", leading to the company's bankruptcy".

What are some alternatives to "a calamitous mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "a disastrous error", "a catastrophic blunder", or "a fateful error", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a calamitous mistake"?

It is appropriate to use "a calamitous mistake" when the error in question has caused significant damage, hardship, or suffering. The word "calamitous" implies a disaster or catastrophe, so the mistake should warrant such a strong descriptor.

What distinguishes "a calamitous mistake" from a simple error?

The key difference lies in the severity of the consequences. A simple error might cause inconvenience or minor setbacks, while "a calamitous mistake" leads to widespread damage, loss, or ruin.