a major lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant failure or oversight in judgment, performance, or behavior. Example: "The team's failure to meet the deadline was a major lapse in their project management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I made a major lapse in judgment.

The New York Times - Sports

To refer to Morisot as a "minor painter" is a major lapse.

The New York Times - Books

For a book that purports to be the canonical exposé of a shameful episode in the history of science, this is a major lapse.

The New York Times

Perhaps he should have declared an interest, but I am not sure that his failure to do so is a major lapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is a major lapse in security — certainly it is not a small incident," India's home minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, said at a news conference in New Delhi.

The New York Times

India's home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said the death was a major lapse in prison security.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The focus group further identified the ambiguity and lack of standardization that occurs when trying to identify what is a minor or major lapse.

BMC Medical Education

While the 47,000 runners entered have too little time to remedy any major lapses in training, there is one element that can still be tweaked, two new studies show: what to eat in the days before the race.

The New York Times

Instead, he acknowledged a major intelligence lapse by the Pakistani police and security forces.

The New York Times

Instead, he acknowledged a major intelligence lapse by Pakistan police and security forces.

The New York Times

In a sign of a major security lapse, the electronic barrier was already lowered, allowing the attackers to rush through the security post.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major lapse" when you want to emphasize the seriousness or significance of a mistake or failure. Ensure the context clearly indicates what area the lapse occurred in (e.g. "a major lapse in security").

Common error

While "a major lapse" is a useful expression, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "significant error" or "serious oversight" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major lapse" functions as a noun phrase, where "major" is an adjective modifying the noun "lapse". According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to denote a significant failure or error in judgment, performance, or security.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major lapse" is a frequently used noun phrase that signifies a considerable failure or error. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase and its wide applicability across various contexts, notably news and media, and science. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously, considering synonyms like "significant error" or "serious oversight" to prevent repetition. When using "a major lapse", the context is key to specifying what type of lapse is happening, to make the context easier to understand for the readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant error

Focuses on the error aspect, implying a notable mistake has been made.

a serious oversight

Highlights the negligence or failure to notice something important.

a critical failing

Emphasizes the importance of what went wrong, indicating a crucial defect.

a grave mistake

Indicates a severe error with potentially serious consequences.

a substantial blunder

Emphasizes the magnitude of the error, suggesting a clumsy or foolish mistake.

a notable failure

Highlights that the failure is significant and worthy of attention.

a considerable slip-up

Suggests a marked error, often implying carelessness or inattention.

a marked deficiency

Focuses on the lack or inadequacy, implying a clear shortfall.

a pronounced weakness

Emphasizes the noticeable lack of strength or effectiveness.

a glaring imperfection

Highlights that the flaw is highly noticeable and difficult to ignore.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major lapse" to describe a significant error or failure. For example, "The security breach was "a major lapse" in the company's security protocols." or "Failing to properly review the data was "a major lapse" in judgement."

What are some alternatives to "a major lapse"?

Some alternatives to "a major lapse" include "a significant error", "a serious oversight", or "a critical failing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a major lapse"?

Yes, describing something as "a major lapse" always carries a negative connotation. It implies that a significant mistake or failure has occurred, leading to undesirable consequences. Therefore, carefully select situations to use this phrase.

What's the difference between "a major lapse" and "a minor lapse"?

"A major lapse" indicates a significant and consequential error, while "a minor lapse" refers to a smaller, less impactful mistake. The distinction lies in the severity of the error and its resulting consequences.