a major blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major blunder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant mistake or error in judgment or action. Example: "The decision to ignore the warning signs turned out to be a major blunder that cost the company dearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A day later, however, he seemed almost ecstatic--a hated foe had made a major blunder.

The New Yorker

As an Orioles fan, losing Davey Johnson was a major blunder.

The New York Times - Sports

On the plus side, he has not so far made a major blunder.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the worst-case-scenario narrative were 100 percent accurate, would that mean Mr. Obama had committed a major blunder?

The New York Times

In a major blunder, Kraft decided to downgrade recipes so that the cookies would no longer be pareve, and it removed the designation from the packages.

The New Yorker

"I would argue the Algerian regime is making a major blunder, miscalculating monstrously," Fawaz Gerges, an analyst at the London School of Economics, told the BBC.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Hoover thinks that Digg made a few major blunders.

TechCrunch

"There was a major communication blunder".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a major league blunder.

The New York Times - Arts

Giving short shrift to solutions proved, however, to be a major political blunder.

The New York Times - Magazine

Failure to do so would be seen as a major management blunder, and shareholders could raise questions about his leadership.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major blunder" to describe situations where a significant error leads to considerable negative consequences. It adds emphasis to the seriousness of the mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "a major blunder" for trivial mistakes. This phrase is best reserved for errors with substantial repercussions; otherwise, it dilutes the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major blunder" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and characterizes a particular mistake as significant. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used. The examples show that it is often used to describe errors in judgment or action that have serious consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major blunder" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly used in news and media contexts, it's a powerful way to express criticism or highlight the serious consequences of an error. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations where the mistake genuinely has major repercussions. For a more nuanced expression, consider alternatives like "a significant error" or "a grave miscalculation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant error

Focuses on the importance of the mistake, similar to "a major blunder".

a serious mistake

Highlights the gravity of the error, akin to "a major blunder".

a grave miscalculation

Emphasizes the faulty judgment involved, much like "a major blunder".

a critical oversight

Underscores the neglectful aspect of the mistake, similar to "a major blunder".

a costly error

Focuses on the negative consequences of the mistake, similar to "a major blunder".

an egregious mistake

Highlights the shocking or outstanding nature of the mistake, akin to "a major blunder".

a colossal failure

Emphasizes the large scale of the failure resulting from the mistake, similar to "a major blunder".

a monumental screw-up

Suggests a significant and chaotic mistake, like "a major blunder".

a strategic misstep

Highlights the poor planning or decision-making, similarly to "a major blunder" but more specific to strategic contexts.

a fateful error

Underscores the life-changing or crucial nature of the mistake, comparable to "a major blunder" when the consequences are dire.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major blunder" to describe a significant mistake or error, such as "Ignoring the warning signs turned out to be "a major blunder" that cost the company dearly".

What are some alternatives to "a major blunder"?

Alternatives include "a significant error", "a serious mistake", or "a grave miscalculation", depending on the context.

Is "a major blunder" formal or informal?

"A major blunder" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more impactful in situations where the mistake has significant consequences. In very formal settings, consider alternatives like "a critical oversight" or "a strategic misstep".

What makes a mistake qualify as "a major blunder"?

A mistake qualifies as "a major blunder" when it leads to substantial negative outcomes, such as financial losses, reputational damage, or strategic setbacks. The key is the significance of the consequences resulting from the error.