a grave blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave blunder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious mistake or error, often with significant consequences. Example: "The decision to ignore the warning signs was a grave blunder that cost the company millions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

WHAT passes for a grave blunder in Washington is often simply a truth unintentionally revealed.

The Economist

Party-run newspapers filled with semi-fictionalised accounts of the suffering and the Cultural Revolution was officially labelled a "grave blunder".

The Guardian

In the context of the Comey firing and the simmering suspicions about Russian collusion, Trump's blithe disclosure was a grave blunder.

The New Yorker

In abiding by the de-Baathification process, at the urging of Chalabi and other once-stalwart anti-Saddam allies, Paul Bremer, the Coalition Provisional Authority head in 2003, may have committed a grave blunder which is only now beginning to unfold.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That was a grave political blunder, because it led some conservatives to suspect that he did not intend to dedicate the Senate's time to a fruitless symbolic pageant of protest.

The New Yorker

But he insists that "a failure to engage Russia on missile defence will be a grave strategic blunder for Washington and its Nato allies.

BBC

So far, he has admitted to crack cocaine use, drinking and driving, and purchasing illegal drugs during his tenure as mayor, among a litany of other grave blunders.

Vice

This is a serious blunder.

BBC

Balancing that, analysts said that Handspring made two grave blunders after its successful initial public offering in 2000 raised about $200 million.

The New York Times

The Wisden match report described this decision as "so grave a blunder that it is difficult to find words in which to speak of it".

Wikipedia

But that was before the financial crash knocked over Greece's fiscal house of cards and made its entry in the European Union's common currency look like one of recent history's gravest blunders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave blunder" to emphasize the seriousness and potential consequences of a mistake. It's particularly effective when discussing events with significant impact, like political decisions or business strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave blunder" to describe minor errors or simple mistakes. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

A grave blunder functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant and consequential error. It serves to emphasize the seriousness of a mistake and its potential ramifications. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing impactful decisions in news and media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave blunder" is a noun phrase denoting a serious and consequential error, predominantly used in news and media contexts to highlight significant failures and assign responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. While relatively rare, it effectively communicates the weight of a mistake, making it suitable for formal and serious discussions. Consider alternatives like ""a serious error"" or ""a critical mistake"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious error

Replaces 'blunder' with 'error' and 'grave' with 'serious', softening the tone slightly.

a critical mistake

Substitutes 'blunder' with 'mistake' and 'grave' with 'critical', emphasizing the importance of the error.

a major miscalculation

Replaces 'blunder' with 'miscalculation', highlighting the faulty judgment involved.

a costly mistake

Replaces 'grave' with 'costly', emphasizing the negative consequences of the blunder.

a disastrous error

Uses 'disastrous' to amplify the severity of the error, making it more impactful.

a significant oversight

Replaces 'blunder' with 'oversight', suggesting a failure to notice something important.

a regrettable lapse

Substitutes 'blunder' with 'lapse', framing the error as a temporary failure in judgment.

an egregious mistake

Uses 'egregious' to highlight the shocking or outstanding nature of the mistake.

a monumental failure

Replaces 'blunder' with 'failure' and 'grave' with 'monumental', emphasizing the scale of the failure.

a terrible misstep

Substitutes 'blunder' with 'misstep', suggesting a wrong action that has significant repercussions.

FAQs

How can I use "a grave blunder" in a sentence?

You can use "a grave blunder" to describe a serious mistake with significant consequences, such as: "Ignoring the expert's advice proved to be "a grave blunder" for the company."

What can I say instead of "a grave blunder"?

Alternatives include "a serious error", "a critical mistake", or "a major miscalculation" depending on the specific context.

Is "a grave blunder" the same as "a simple mistake"?

No, "a grave blunder" implies a significant and consequential error, while a "simple mistake" is a minor, often inconsequential, error.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a grave blunder"?

It's appropriate when describing actions or decisions that have led to severe negative outcomes, indicating a serious lapse in judgment or competence.