costly mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'costly mistake' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an error that has caused significant loss of money, resources, or time. For example: "The company made a costly mistake when they overlooked the importance of quality assurance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was a costly mistake.

The New York Times

Pollution is generally a tremendous costly mistake.

The New York Times

That could be a costly mistake.

The New York Times

That would be a costly mistake.

The New York Times

That could prove a costly mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

That would be a very costly mistake.

The New York Times

The recall brought another costly mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

"It will be a costly mistake".

The New Yorker

The road to Rouen proved a costly mistake.

Independent

For some landowners, it can be a costly mistake.

The New York Times

It now recognises that was a costly mistake.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "costly mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates what made the mistake 'costly'. Be specific about the resources, time, or consequences lost as a result.

Common error

Avoid using "costly mistake" when the consequences are minor or unclear. Ensure that the mistake genuinely resulted in significant losses or negative outcomes; otherwise, consider using a less dramatic phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly mistake" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "costly" modifies the noun "mistake". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage. It describes a type of error characterized by significant negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "costly mistake" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an error that results in significant losses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'cost' is clear and quantifiable, and avoid overstating the consequences. Alternatives such as "expensive error" or "serious miscalculation" may be appropriate depending on the context. Remember to be specific about the impact of the mistake to effectively communicate its severity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive error

Replaces 'costly' with 'expensive', emphasizing the financial aspect of the mistake.

dear blunder

Uses 'dear' to mean expensive or serious, and 'blunder' for a careless mistake.

serious miscalculation

Focuses on the misjudgment aspect, highlighting the significant negative outcome.

grave oversight

Emphasizes the negligence or failure to notice something important, with severe repercussions.

unfortunate error

Highlights the negative consequences and bad luck associated with the mistake.

damaging misstep

Focuses on the harmful impact of the error, portraying it as a wrong action with negative consequences.

regrettable lapse

Emphasizes the feeling of regret and the temporary failure in judgment or memory.

ill-advised action

Focuses on the poor judgment and lack of wisdom behind the action, leading to negative outcomes.

counterproductive measure

Highlights that an action intended to help ultimately caused problems or made things worse.

detrimental fault

Focuses on the harmful or damaging aspect of the mistake or flaw.

FAQs

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

You can use "costly mistake" to describe an error that resulted in significant financial, time, or resource losses. For example: "The company's failure to invest in cybersecurity proved to be a "costly mistake" when they suffered a major data breach."

What are some alternatives to "costly mistake"?

Alternatives to "costly mistake" include "expensive error", "serious miscalculation", or "grave oversight". The best choice depends on the specific context and the type of loss involved.

Is it better to say "costly mistake" or "expensive mistake"?

Both "costly mistake" and "expensive mistake" are correct. "Costly" often implies a broader range of consequences beyond just monetary value, while "expensive" focuses specifically on financial cost. Choose the word that best reflects the actual impact of the mistake.

What makes a mistake a "costly mistake"?

A mistake is considered a "costly mistake" when it leads to significant negative consequences, such as large financial losses, wasted resources, missed opportunities, or damage to reputation. The magnitude of the impact determines whether the mistake warrants this description.