a major misjudgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major misjudgment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant error in judgment or decision-making. Example: "The company's decision to invest in that failing startup was a major misjudgment that cost them millions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This critique is a major misjudgment.

The New York Times

But this is a major misjudgment that is unlikely to enhance the reputation of either Juvenal or Callow.

The Guardian

This would be a major misjudgment, one based on their overestimation of the risks posed by reform.

The New York Times

In Monaco, Hamilton dominated the entire weekend and, even though he was more culpable in his defeat than was immediately apparent, the decision to pull him in for an unnecessary tyre change was a major misjudgment by his team.

The Guardian - Sport

Sharfstein said a major misjudgment for his state was relying on "off-the-shelf" products like the software they used to determine consumers' eligibility for tax subsidies.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A more major misjudgment came in 2013 when it tried to offer a plastic-backed iPhone, aka the iPhone 5c.

TechCrunch

It was unfortunate that his one major misjudgment resulted in a penalty and goal for Ghana in the semi-final, but Ovono mixes the exuberance of youth with a genuine sense of command and it would be interesting to see how he would fare higher up the football food chain.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a major economic misjudgment".

The New Yorker

In aligning themselves with the German arguments, which favour upgrading the workforce rather than a policy designed to give fresh impetus to global demand, some French leaders are committing a fateful strategic error and a major economic misjudgment.

EU Parlament

Less widely reported is Blair's account of his other major misjudgment in the Middle East: his stubborn refusal to call for a ceasefire during the 2006 Lebanon war.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, Cameron has chosen to pick a fight, making major misjudgments on immediate action, the scale of budget cuts and the nature of longer term reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major misjudgment", ensure the context clearly establishes the negative consequences or implications of the error. This helps underscore the significance of the misjudgment.

Common error

Avoid using "a major misjudgment" to describe trivial errors. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for situations where the error genuinely has substantial repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major misjudgment" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a specific instance of flawed decision-making, as seen in Ludwig's examples from various news and media sources. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major misjudgment" signifies a substantial error in decision-making, typically leading to adverse outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly found in news and media contexts and less frequently in academic settings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the error is genuinely significant to justify the strong wording. Consider alternatives like "a significant error in judgment" or "a serious error of judgment" to fine-tune the tone for your intended audience. Using this phrase effectively involves recognizing its weight and reserving it for impactful errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant error in judgment

Replaces "misjudgment" with a more formal term and "major" with "significant", altering the tone slightly but maintaining the core meaning.

a serious error of judgment

Substitutes "major" with "serious", emphasizing the gravity of the error while retaining the core concept.

a grave mistake

Uses "grave mistake" to underscore the severity of the error, simplifying the language while preserving the critical aspect of the misjudgment.

a critical oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglecting something important, framing the misjudgment as a failure to notice or consider crucial information.

a severe blunder

Emphasizes the clumsiness or carelessness of the error, suggesting it was avoidable and significantly impactful.

a strategic miscalculation

Highlights the flawed planning or forecasting aspect of the misjudgment, particularly in situations involving strategy or long-term goals.

a colossal error

Replaces "major" with "colossal" to amplify the scale and impact of the error, stressing its immense proportions.

a fundamental flaw in reasoning

Shifts the focus to the underlying defect in the thought process, pinpointing a basic error in logic or assumptions.

a regrettable lapse in judgment

Adds an element of remorse or disappointment, highlighting the unfortunate consequences of the misjudgment and the regret associated with it.

an egregious misstep

Uses "egregious misstep" to underscore the glaring and conspicuous nature of the error, emphasizing its obviousness and inappropriateness.

FAQs

What does "a major misjudgment" mean?

The phrase "a major misjudgment" refers to a significant error in decision-making or assessment, often resulting in negative consequences.

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

You might say, "The company's decision to delay the product launch was "a major misjudgment" that allowed competitors to gain market share."

What are some alternatives to "a major misjudgment"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant error in judgment", "a serious error of judgment", or "a grave mistake" depending on the specific context.

Is "a major misjudgment" formal or informal?

"A major misjudgment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "a strategic miscalculation" may be preferred in professional or academic settings.