brutal mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brutal mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or severe error that has serious consequences or implications. Example: "The team made a brutal mistake by overlooking the critical deadline, which cost the company a major contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Just a brutal mistake at the exact wrong time for the USA.

The Guardian - Sport

Oh and this is another brutal mistake, upside-down typefaces on a page: To the four adventurous souls who tried to read this, I salute you.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Harshness is always close at hand here, and no one is surprised by betrayals, thefts, brutal mistakes of war.

The New York Times - Books

The Giants, who blew two games on brutal mistakes by their kicking game, lost at home to woeful Atlanta on Sunday and are now 4-5.

The New York Times - Sports

The forces determined to target the U.S. arose for a complex mix of reasons, including, but not limited to, the sometimes brutal mistakes of America and NATO.

Huffington Post

He is a tightly wound perfectionist, often brutal to mistake-making teammates, and has one less Super Bowl ring than his younger brother, Eli.

HuffPost

But make no mistake: Brutal sectarian war has come again to Iraq, and many say it's as bad as in the dark days of 2007.

The Washington Post

In we go! "Here, the competition is brutal; one little mistake and you're done.

Huffington Post

But while therapy has made him take responsibility for his actions, he's brutal about the mistakes he's made.

The Guardian - Film

By not acknowledging that the brutal suppression was a tragic mistake, China keeps Tiananmen an unhealed wound.

The New York Times

"I think that was a great, huge, mistake from the brutal military junta that ruled Argentina at that time.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brutal mistake" to emphasize the severity and harsh consequences of an error, particularly when the impact is significant and unforgiving.

Common error

Avoid using "brutal mistake" when describing minor errors or oversights. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the consequences are truly severe and impactful, not for everyday slip-ups.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brutal mistake" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "brutal" intensifies the negative impact of the "mistake". It serves to emphasize the severity and consequences of the error, aligning with Ludwig's examples of significant errors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brutal mistake" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the severity of an error. As indicated by Ludwig, it is typically used in news and media contexts to highlight significant and consequential errors. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, its impact is strong, conveying the weight of the mistake. For milder situations, consider using less impactful alternatives like "simple mistake" or "slight error".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave error

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the mistake.

critical blunder

Highlights that the mistake was a significant failure with important repercussions.

terrible error

Focuses on the extremely negative nature and impact of the mistake.

severe oversight

Highlights the neglectful aspect of the mistake, emphasizing its significant impact.

costly misjudgment

Points out the high price or negative consequences resulting from the incorrect judgment.

egregious fault

Emphasizes how outstandingly bad and shocking the mistake was.

major failing

Highlights a significant deficiency or weakness that led to the mistake.

atrocious error

Similar to terrible or awful, this emphasizes the shockingly bad nature of the mistake.

appalling mistake

Shows the mistake was extremely bad and causing dismay or horror.

catastrophic error

Emphasizes the disastrous consequences of the mistake, bringing about a great and sudden damage.

FAQs

What does "brutal mistake" mean?

A "brutal mistake" signifies a severe error with harsh and unforgiving consequences. It implies that the mistake has caused significant damage or harm.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "brutal mistake"?

Use "brutal mistake" when the consequences of the error are extremely serious, causing substantial negative impact or irreversible damage. It's suitable when a less severe term would undermine the gravity of the situation.

What are some alternatives to "brutal mistake"?

Alternatives to "brutal mistake" include "grave error", "critical blunder", or "terrible error". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "brutal mistake" an exaggeration?

The term "brutal mistake" can be an exaggeration if used to describe a minor mishap. Ensure the severity of the error warrants such a strong descriptor. Consider if alternatives like "simple mistake" or "slight error" might be more accurate.