a tiny mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

'a tiny mistake' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a minor mistake that someone has made, such as in the sentence, "I made only a tiny mistake on the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It's a tiny mistake by my boss.

The Guardian

A tiny mistake led to huge losses.

The Guardian - Business

A tiny mistake means it blows up in mid-air.

The Guardian

We made a tiny mistake and got punished so hard for it".

The Guardian - Sport

Tonight's involve a dead soldier's frozen embryos and a tiny mistake with a surrogate birth.

The New York Times

I would sometimes obsess over a tiny mistake, verbally abusing myself for it, calling myself names and generally hating myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The problem is, once you get labelled, mud sticks and now any tiny mistake is magnified.

BBC

Ultimately, Oculus made a huge tiny mistake in regards to controllers that is probably going to screw up the Rift ecosystem for longer than the company thinks it will.

TechCrunch

But seriously, every single minute of the day is a chance to start over so don't use one tiny mistake as an excuse to throw in the towel.

Huffington Post

The brevity of the race allows for no error; one tiny mistake can mean a fraction of a second, which in this context is an eternity.

The New York Times - Sports

It's one tiny mistake in a tragicomedy of errors, but — if it's true — is a powerful demonstration of how the smallest lapse in cybersecurity, a single typo or click, can serve as the fulcrum on which an entire career, news cycle, or arguably election can be tipped.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tiny mistake", ensure the context emphasizes the insignificance of the error. It's best used when reassuring someone or downplaying the severity of an event.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny mistake" when the consequences are actually significant. This can create a false sense of security or minimize genuine concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny mistake" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the object or complement in a sentence. Ludwig provides various examples showing its use in describing situations where errors occur but are considered minimal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “a tiny mistake” is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor error. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent use in news, media, and general contexts. Ludwig AI also assesses it as a correct phrase. When using this phrase, remember that the intent is typically to downplay the severity of the mistake, offering reassurance. However, be cautious not to use it in situations where the mistake has significant consequences, as this could undermine the seriousness of the situation. Related phrases include "a minor error" and "a slight oversight", providing alternative ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor error

Replaces "mistake" with "error", emphasizing the deviation from correctness.

a slight oversight

Substitutes "mistake" with "oversight", highlighting the unintentional nature of the error.

a small blunder

Uses "blunder" instead of "mistake", suggesting a slightly more careless error.

a trivial fault

Replaces both "tiny" and "mistake" with synonyms, emphasizing the insignificance of the error.

a negligible slip-up

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the error and uses the word "slip-up".

a minor imperfection

Focuses on the lack of perfection due to the error.

a venial sin

Uses a religious term to highlight the forgiveness of the "mistake".

a petty flaw

Highlights the insignificance of the "mistake".

a forgivable error

This phrase highlights that error is easy to forgive or is acceptable.

a pardonable lapse

This emphasizes the excusable or forgivable nature of the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny mistake" to downplay an error. For example: "Don't worry about it; it was just "a tiny mistake"."

What are some alternatives to "a tiny mistake"?

Alternatives include "a minor error", "a slight oversight", or "a small blunder". Choose the one that best fits the context and degree of insignificance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe an error as "a tiny mistake"?

No, it's not always appropriate. If the mistake has significant consequences, using the phrase could be misleading or dismissive. Consider the impact before using the phrase.

How does "a tiny mistake" differ from "a big mistake"?

"A tiny mistake" implies minimal impact and easy correction, while "a big mistake" suggests significant consequences and potentially difficult remediation. The choice depends on the actual severity of the error.