a dire mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dire mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a very serious or grave error that has significant consequences. Example: "Failing to double-check the data before submission was a dire mistake that cost the company a major client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"That's a dire mistake".

The New York Times

However, she added, it would be a dire mistake to attend the conference and avoid the human rights issue.

The New York Times

Change can be difficult, and uncertainty frightening, but it's our responsibility to educate ourselves before that lack of knowledge turns into a dire mistake.

Huffington Post

I believe that you have made a dire mistake in replacing Mr. Joyner & Company with the presence of Mr. Harvey, and therefore I am no longer a dedicated listener of V103 and will never tune in to listen to the amazingly untalented Mr. Harvey.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

JAY N. FELDMAN Port Washington, N.Y., March 28 , 2012  While Mr. Keller and Mr. Gottlieb have started a welcome dialogue, they both make the dire mistake of overemphasizing the military's role in national security.

The New York Times

It is meant to be read in its entirety so as to not make the dire mistake of dismissing medication as an often needed, life changing intervention approach.

HuffPost

The most famous modern example is Nancy Reagan's engineering the ouster of chief of staff Donald T. Regan, who had made the dire mistake of hanging up on her.

The Washington Post

ISIS is surviving as the result of the dire mistakes committed by governments of the region".

Huffington Post

"He is playing like machine, you know, it is true, because he hits everything inside," lamented the 24-year-old Korda, who committed 49 unforced errors and earned just six break points, a dire contrast to Courier's 17 mistakes and 20 break points, 7 of which cost the Czechoslovak his serve.

The New York Times - Sports

Neither do widespread delays in the payment of their monthly salaries, which amount to a meagre $200 per police officer.And the Afghan troops face a dire situation, which was caused in part by mistakes made by the foreign forces.

The Economist

The band tried playing a Dire Straits song, which was a horrible, nearly unforgivable mistake.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or professional communication, use "a dire mistake" to convey a sense of urgency and importance without resorting to overly emotional language.

Common error

Avoid using "a dire mistake" in situations where the error is relatively minor or inconsequential. Overusing such strong language can diminish its impact and make your communication seem exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

A dire mistake" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object or subject complement in a sentence. Its primary function is to identify and characterize a specific error, emphasizing the gravity and potential repercussions involved. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correctly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

HuffPost

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dire mistake" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the severity of an error and its potentially negative consequences. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, though not exceedingly frequent, primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to highlight situations where the stakes are high and the consequences of an error are significant. Alternatives include "a grave error" or "a critical blunder", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave error

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the error.

a critical blunder

Highlights the carelessness and potential for significant negative impact.

a serious misjudgment

Focuses on the faulty decision-making that led to the error.

a fatal error

Indicates an error with irreversible and devastating consequences.

an egregious fault

Suggests the error is remarkably bad or shocking.

a terrible oversight

Highlights the aspect of negligence, something important was missed.

a calamitous failure

Emphasizes the disastrous outcome resulting from the error.

a regrettable lapse

Highlights the element of remorse or disappointment surrounding the error.

a costly slip-up

Points out the expensive or otherwise detrimental consequences of the error.

a monumental screw-up

Suggests an unprofessional error with potentially large effects.

FAQs

What does "a dire mistake" mean?

"A dire mistake" refers to a serious error with significant and negative consequences. It implies a situation that is urgent and potentially disastrous.

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

You can use "a dire mistake" to describe a situation or action that leads to severe problems. For example: "Failing to secure the network was "a dire mistake" that exposed sensitive data."

What are some alternatives to saying "a dire mistake"?

Alternatives include "a grave error", "a critical blunder", or "a serious misjudgment". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a dire mistake" too strong for everyday conversation?

While generally appropriate for formal contexts, "a dire mistake" can also be used in everyday conversation when emphasizing the serious nature of a mistake. However, consider whether a less intense phrase might be more suitable depending on your audience.