a devastating mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an error that has significant negative consequences or impact. Example: "The decision to ignore the warning signs turned out to be a devastating mistake for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Finally, to be a quarterback is to possess those ineffable traits of character — work ethic, poise under pressure, resilience after even a devastating mistake.

The New Yorker

This proved to be a devastating mistake when the cops showed up at around 8 PM for an inspection.

Vice

A devastating mistake is to blindly work together without deciding upon where it is that you are going.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Short of a complete bravura performance that would have been tough for even the most experienced national politician to turn in — or a devastating error by the mistake-prone Mr. Biden, who instead turned in an impressively sharp performance — there might have been little Ms. Palin could have done to help Mr. McCain.

The New York Times

It's understandable that the mere thought of a rare but devastating mistake makes both GPs and hospitals err on the side of caution.

The Guardian - Opinion

The failure to release the men would be a "catastrophic and devastating" mistake on Beijing's part, the veteran campaigner added.

The Guardian

"Love Alone," a new play about a devastating medical mistake and its consequences at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, R.I., breaks this mold.

The New York Times

His fourth appearance of 2002 came in Spike Lee's drama 25th Hour, playing an English teacher who makes a devastating drunken mistake.

Wikipedia

This was yet another devastating mistake: Soviet troops overran the country and then established a repressive communist government.

The Economist

The Colts went on to win the Super Bowl, but the Patriots' collapse in the second half of the conference championship game was a discordant note for a franchise that is not used to making devastating mistakes with a title on the line.

The New York Times - Sports

It's also a really easy time to make some devastating mistakes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a devastating mistake", ensure the context clearly conveys the severity and far-reaching consequences of the error. Provide specific details to illustrate the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating mistake" for minor errors or inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely severe and have long-lasting effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devastating mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "devastating" is an adjective modifying the noun "mistake". It describes the nature and impact of the mistake, emphasizing its severe consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a devastating mistake" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an error with severe and far-reaching consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, highlighting situations where errors have significant negative impacts. While the phrase is relatively rare, it effectively conveys the gravity of a mistake, distinguishing it from more সাধারণ errors. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the magnitude of the error and avoid exaggerating its impact for minor issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catastrophic blunder

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the mistake.

a critical error

Highlights the importance and impact of the mistake.

a grave miscalculation

Suggests a serious error in judgment or planning.

a fatal flaw

Implies a mistake that leads to inevitable failure or ruin.

an irreparable error

Focuses on the inability to fix or reverse the mistake.

a momentous lapse

Highlights the significance and far-reaching consequences of the mistake.

a regrettable oversight

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness or disappointment associated with the mistake.

a damaging mistake

Focuses on the harm caused by the mistake.

a costly error

Highlights the financial or other significant costs associated with the mistake.

a significant misstep

Underlines the noteworthy nature of the error and its implications.

FAQs

How to use "a devastating mistake" in a sentence?

Use "a devastating mistake" to describe an error with serious, far-reaching negative consequences. For example: "Ignoring the warning signs proved to be "a devastating mistake" for the company."

What can I say instead of "a devastating mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "a catastrophic blunder", "a critical error", or "a grave miscalculation" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a devastating mistake"?

While "mistake" inherently implies an error, adding "devastating" emphasizes the severity and impact of the error, making it suitable when you want to highlight the significant negative consequences.

What's the difference between "a devastating mistake" and "a serious mistake"?

"A serious mistake" implies a significant error, but ""a devastating mistake"" suggests the consequences are far more severe and destructive. The latter conveys a greater magnitude of impact.