crass mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crass mistake" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a very obvious and foolish error or misjudgment. Example: The company's decision to fire their top salesperson was a crass mistake, as their sales have plummeted since.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

If so, it was a crass mistake.

The Economist

It was a crass mistake to hive the honorary Oscars off to another show.

The Guardian - Film

Such was the crass mistake made by Hague - one of the worst of his leadership - when he backed Jeffrey Archer for the London mayoralty.

The Guardian - Books

It also seems to me that it would be a crass mistake not to try the Saddamite mass murderers under international law.

The New York Times - Magazine

People's anger – and my party's anger – at me, will never ever match my anger with myself or my remorse at such a crass mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

The option remains for another party to raise the stakes, declare the last Labour Goverment's decision to let roulette into betting shops in the place of a crass mistake, and send it back to the casinos where it belongs.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He made several crass mistakes: he caused deep offence by decorating Jerusalem with images of the emperor; he commissioned a useful aqueduct, but had it paid for out of the temple treasury; he made a hash of the trial of Jesus.

The Economist

He bemoaned their errors - the same crass mistakes that they made in clusters in the second half of the defeat by Ireland - and concluded that the whole experience was disappointing.

BBC

The Albanians have a world ranking of 58, but even a side of fairly modest talents would surely have taken advantage of the kind of crass mistakes that Scotland made on Friday.

BBC

If he thinks you're a good egg, he'll forgive you the crassest mistakes.

The Guardian

Crass error, right on half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crass mistake" when you want to emphasize that an error was not only wrong but also insensitive or foolish. It's suitable for situations where the error reflects poor judgment and a lack of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "crass mistake" in highly formal or academic writing. While the phrase is acceptable, more neutral or precise terms like "significant error" or "serious misjudgment" may be more appropriate for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crass mistake" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "crass" modifies the noun "mistake". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and used to describe a foolish misjudgment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crass mistake" is a common and correct way to describe an error that is not only wrong but also insensitive or foolish. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for describing obvious misjudgments. While suitable for various contexts, it's best used when emphasizing the lack of consideration or intelligence behind the mistake. Alternative phrases such as "egregious blunder" or "serious misjudgment" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "crass mistake", be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required, opting for more neutral terms in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant error

Emphasizes the obvious and conspicuous nature of the error.

serious misjudgment

Focuses on the poor decision-making aspect of the error.

terrible mistake

Indicates the mistake has grave implications.

egregious blunder

Highlights the shocking and remarkably bad nature of the mistake.

grave error

Indicates a mistake with potentially severe consequences.

palpable mistake

Stresses the obvious and easily perceived nature of the error.

outrageous error

Stresses how unacceptable and shocking the error is.

foolish error

Highlights the lack of wisdom or good sense in the mistake.

significant oversight

Emphasizes the neglectful aspect of the error, indicating something important was missed.

major lapse

Implies a temporary failure of judgment or behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "crass mistake" to describe an action or decision that was not only wrong but also insensitive or foolish. For example, "Ignoring customer feedback was a "crass mistake" that cost the company dearly."

What's a similar phrase to "crass mistake"?

Alternatives to "crass mistake" include "egregious blunder", "serious misjudgment", or "foolish error". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "crass mistake" formal or informal?

"Crass mistake" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for news articles, opinion pieces, and general writing, but may be less appropriate for highly formal academic papers or business reports.

What makes a mistake "crass"?

A mistake is considered "crass" when it's not only incorrect but also displays a lack of sensitivity, refinement, or intelligence. It suggests the mistake was particularly insensitive or ill-considered.