a massive mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant error or blunder in various contexts, such as personal decisions, business choices, or any situation where a serious mistake has been made. Example: "Not double-checking the report before submission was a massive mistake that cost the company a lot of time and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a massive mistake.

The Guardian

"I really feel that was a massive mistake".

The Guardian - Music

And here is where the Times made a massive mistake.

The Guardian

Those five Republicans were guilty of "a massive mistake and betrayal," Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times

It was a massive mistake, compounded by the player's own insistence that he was fit to play.

The Guardian - Sport

He added that it was "a massive mistake on my part" and that the miscarriage had caused them to panic.

The New York Times - Sports

"I realise now that it was a massive mistake to say my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it.

The Guardian - Sport

Lord Winston, the doctor and Labour peer, said Hunt was making "a massive mistake" by imposing the contract.

The Guardian

Bellamy said: "If Swansea get rid of him I believe it would be a massive mistake and I'm quite strong on that.

Independent

The investment was "a massive mistake," Mr. Odero said, as quota restrictions, falling fish prices and rising fuel costs left his income stagnant.

The New York Times

"Mr Shorten is only supporting a delay, because the TWU itself understands that it has made a massive mistake with this pay order," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a massive mistake", ensure the context clearly illustrates the significant impact or consequences of the error to justify the strong adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive mistake" for minor errors or trivial issues, as it can diminish the impact when describing truly significant blunders. Reserve this phrase for situations with genuinely serious repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "massive" is an adjective modifying the noun "mistake". Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it acts as the subject complement or object in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive mistake" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant error with substantial consequences. Ludwig AI examples show that it's frequently employed in news, sports, and general communication. While suitable for neutral and professional contexts, it should be reserved for genuinely serious blunders to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives such as "a huge blunder" or "a colossal error" to tailor the nuance to the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge blunder

This alternative uses "blunder" instead of "mistake", suggesting a more careless or foolish error. It shifts from a general misjudgment to emphasize poor execution or oversight.

a colossal error

Using "colossal" amplifies the mistake's scale and impact, implying far-reaching negative consequences.

a grave misjudgment

Swapping "mistake" for "misjudgment" highlights a lack of sound reasoning or foresight, often with serious implications.

a terrible oversight

This phrase emphasizes neglect or failure to notice something important, leading to significant repercussions.

a monumental failure

Using "monumental failure" stresses the scale of the failure and its lasting impact, indicating a significant setback.

a significant error

Replaces "massive" with "significant", reducing the intensity while still indicating a noteworthy mistake.

a critical lapse

This alternative points to a temporary failure in judgment or attention that has serious consequences, especially in critical operations.

a regrettable error

Highlights the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the mistake, placing emphasis on the emotional response.

an epic fail

A more informal and contemporary expression indicating a spectacular and often humorous failure.

a costly mistake

This alternative focuses on the adverse consequences of the mistake, especially those relating to financial losses or missed opportunities.

FAQs

What does "a massive mistake" mean?

The phrase "a massive mistake" describes a very large or significant error, implying serious consequences or impact.

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

You can use "a massive mistake" to describe a situation where a large error has occurred, such as, "Failing to secure the database was "a massive mistake" that exposed sensitive customer data."

What can I say instead of "a massive mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "a huge blunder", "a colossal error", or "a grave misjudgment" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a massive mistake"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Use "a massive mistake" when the error is truly significant. For smaller errors, use less emphatic phrases like "a small error" or "a minor oversight".