a costly lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a costly lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake or oversight that has significant financial consequences or implications. Example: "The company's decision to overlook safety regulations resulted in a costly lapse that led to a major accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Everton were shrinking all over the pitch and perhaps their dwindling was what lulled Van La Parra into a costly lapse in the 39th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

It was almost a costly lapse in concentration as Udinese captain di Natale curled in the free-kick from 30 yards, which looped off the crossbar.

Independent

It was the correct decision and Sturridge's missed chance to make it 3-1 likeed like being a costly lapse when Salah gave away the ball in the buildup to Mbappé's goal, with Neymar's initial run opening up the chance for the French World Cup winner.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The exchange was nonetheless a potentially costly lapse of public discipline for Cuomo as he seeks a third term of office. .

Huffington Post

The exchange was nonetheless a potentially costly lapse of public discipline for Cuomo as he seeks a third term of office.

HuffPost

Everton, minus the injured Marouane Fellaini, struggled to find their rhythm as Oldham pressed relentlessly but they made an early breakthrough thanks to Mirallas and a costly defensive lapse.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2008 yet another spectacular costly lapse occurred in France when a 'rogue trader' gambled away $6 billion of the assets of his large European bank; his actions caused stock market turmoil and contributed to a Fed decision to cut interest rates.

Forbes

Algeria's French manager, Christian Gourcuff, who took charge despite the death of his mother on Thursday, rued his team's costly lapse in concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

But it felt weird – and weirder still as his costly lapse of attention propelled him toward some of the most sophisticated health care in the world.

The Washington Post

Smith's most costly lapse Tuesday night was not the ejection (which came with just 10.7 seconds left), but a turnover he committed seconds earlier, when his baseline inbounds pass was intercepted and dunked by Paul George.

The New York Times - Sports

Cameron looks less prone to costly lapses of concentration and can also step forward with the ball at his feet.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a costly lapse" to emphasize the financial or otherwise significant negative consequences of a mistake or period of inattention. It's particularly effective when highlighting the impact of a seemingly small error.

Common error

Avoid using "a costly lapse" for minor errors that have minimal consequences. Reserve it for situations where the negative impact is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a costly lapse" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, illustrating how it denotes a mistake or oversight with significant negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a costly lapse" is a phrase used to describe a mistake or period of inattention resulting in significant negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it serves to emphasize the repercussions, often financial, of an error. While the phrase is not particularly common, with only a few examples, its clear and impactful meaning makes it a useful tool for highlighting the importance of vigilance and careful decision-making. Related phrases include "an expensive error" and "a damaging mistake", offering alternative ways to convey the same idea. Be sure to use it when the negative impact is significant to make the most appropriate use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an expensive error

Replaces 'lapse' with 'error' and 'costly' with 'expensive', focusing on the financial aspect.

a pricey error

Like "an expensive error", more directly relates to a financial impact.

a damaging mistake

Shifts the focus to the potential harm or damage caused by the mistake.

a serious oversight

Emphasizes the negligence or failure to notice something important.

a regrettable blunder

Highlights the feeling of regret associated with a significant mistake.

a critical failure

Focuses on the idea that something essential broke down or did not succeed.

an unfortunate slip-up

Implies a minor, accidental mistake with negative consequences.

a consequential error

Stresses the significant impact or results of the mistake.

a fateful misstep

Suggests that the mistake had a significant and potentially life-altering impact.

a penalizing mistake

Highlights the idea that the mistake lead to punishment.

FAQs

How can I use "a costly lapse" in a sentence?

Use "a costly lapse" to describe a mistake or period of inattention that results in significant negative consequences, especially financially. For instance: "The company's failure to invest in cybersecurity proved to be "a costly lapse" when they suffered a major data breach."

What are some alternatives to "a costly lapse"?

You can use alternatives like "an expensive error", "a damaging mistake", or "a serious oversight" depending on the specific type of consequence you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use "a costly lapse"?

It's appropriate to use "a costly lapse" when you want to highlight the significant negative consequences, particularly financial ones, that resulted from a mistake or period of inattention. It emphasizes the real impact of the error.

Is "a costly lapse" the same as "an expensive mistake"?

While similar, "a costly lapse" often implies a period of inattention or negligence that leads to negative consequences, whereas "an expensive mistake" simply highlights the financial cost of an error. The term "a costly lapse" is more expressive.