a disastrous mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

This was a disastrous mistake.

The New York Times

Yet a disastrous mistake is not absolutely inevitable, she says.

The Guardian - Tech

The CIA officer had made a disastrous mistake.

The Guardian

David Cameron and George Osborne made a disastrous mistake in taking the book literally".

Independent

Governor Bush's move toward the extreme religious right is now generally seen as a disastrous mistake.

The New York Times

All the candidates are against free trade – that's a disastrous mistake.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It is extremely doubtful whether hydropower is a reliable or cost-effective approach, making an energy future based on dams a potentially disastrous mistake," says the report.

The Guardian

He confided to Herring that he felt that he had made a potentially disastrous mistake: "it is quite wrong to send out a small unit like the 2/6th Independent Company so far that they cannot be supported".

Wikipedia

So yes, the price is wrong — but it's a terrible, disastrous mistake to focus on the wrong wrong price.

The New York Times

It was a combination that led to at least a few disastrous mistakes, according to a new book by Stephen J. Pyne, a historian at Arizona State University who has studied the birth of the conservation movement.

The New York Times

Some predict three closely fought contests rather than a knockout blow or disastrous mistake.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger synonyms like "catastrophic blunder" or "ruinous error" to amplify the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a disastrous mistake" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or describing the specific consequences of the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disastrous mistake" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to describe a significant error with substantial negative consequences, seen in examples such as "This was a disastrous mistake." This mistake is typically judged in hindsight.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a disastrous mistake" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a significant error with severe negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to express strong disapproval or regret. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, though its usage extends across various registers. While acceptable in most situations, consider using stronger synonyms like "catastrophic blunder" or "ruinous error" for formal writing. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase and vary your language to avoid repetition. Ensure that when using "a disastrous mistake", the context clearly indicates the gravity of the situation. Understanding these nuances will enable you to use this phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catastrophic blunder

Replaces "mistake" with "blunder" and "disastrous" with "catastrophic", emphasizing the scale of the error.

a ruinous error

Substitutes "disastrous" with "ruinous" and "mistake" with "error", focusing on the damaging consequences.

a calamitous misjudgment

Replaces "mistake" with "misjudgment" and "disastrous" with "calamitous", highlighting poor decision-making.

an utterly devastating error

Emphasizes the extent of the damage by adding "utterly" and replacing "disastrous" with "devastating".

a grave oversight

Downplays the explicit nature of the error, instead focusing on the lack of attention that caused it.

a costly miscalculation

Focuses on the financial or resource-related consequences of the error.

a fateful misstep

Emphasizes the long-lasting and unchangeable consequences of the error.

an egregious lapse in judgment

Highlights that the mistake comes from an unusually bad exercise of judgment.

a critical failure

Focuses on the complete inability to achieve the desired result due to the mistake.

a regrettable incident

Understates the severity of the mistake, portraying it as an unfortunate event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a disastrous mistake" to describe a decision or action that led to significantly negative outcomes. For example: "Ignoring the safety protocols proved to be "a disastrous mistake", resulting in severe injuries."

What are some alternatives to "a disastrous mistake"?

Alternatives include "a catastrophic blunder", "a ruinous error", or "a calamitous misjudgment", each carrying a slightly different nuance regarding the scale and nature of the error.

Is it appropriate to use "a disastrous mistake" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a disastrous mistake" may be considered somewhat informal for certain contexts. In formal writing, consider stronger, more precise synonyms that convey the specific impact of the error, such as "a grave oversight" or "a costly miscalculation".

What distinguishes "a disastrous mistake" from "a simple mistake"?

"A simple mistake" implies a minor, easily rectifiable error, while "a disastrous mistake" signifies an error with significant and often irreversible negative consequences. The word "disastrous" emphasizes the magnitude of the impact.