critical lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant failure or oversight in judgment, attention, or performance, often with serious consequences. Example: "The investigation revealed a critical lapse in safety protocols that led to the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The pass defense, which included a critical lapse by the vaunted Jason Sehorn, failed against a Baltimore passing attack that turned out to be livelier than expected.

The New York Times

The critical lapse came when Tanabe irrationally proposed that the "relative absolute" of the Japanese nation could serve as a kind of "supreme archetype" for other nations (see THZ VI, 232 33).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yes, there had been critical lapses in the field.

The Guardian - Sport

At the Department of Buildings, the report found, there was an "overall breakdown in several key areas," including a lack of coordination with other agencies and critical lapses in training.

The New York Times

In zeroing in on critical lapses by the city's Fire and Buildings Departments, the investigators called for the two agencies to work more closely, especially on sharing information about the construction, demolition and abatement of city buildings.

The New York Times

Many of those, such as providing sailors standing watch with night-vision goggles, were deemed irrelevant, but the investigating officer concluded that roughly 10 others constituted critical lapses, including the positioning of the officer on watch on the quarterdeck and not the bridge, the officials said.

The New York Times

Many children and young people experience critical lapses in their condition which would mean their parents having to act as sole decision-makers working with their clinicians either permanently or until a point is reached when the child recovers sufficiently to re-engage in decision-making on some level.

BMC Pediatrics

He is a big hitter who sometimes whiffs, and unlike most Alabama defenders, he is susceptible to critical judgment lapses.

The New York Times

The commission's report was especially critical of the lapse by police officers in conveying crucial information after the bombing in Oslo.

The New York Times

While the report praises Turkey for housing Syrian refugees and cooperating with the migration crisis, it is very critical of a lapse in freedom of expression and an undermining of the judiciary under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Vice

Before long, like other "moderate" colleagues who failed to speak out at that critical time, he lapsed into semi-silent retirement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critical lapse", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity and potential consequences of the failure. Use it to emphasize the importance of addressing the lapse to prevent future occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "critical lapse" for minor mistakes or oversights. Reserve it for situations where the failure has significant, far-reaching consequences. Using it too liberally dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical lapse" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "critical" modifies the noun "lapse". It typically identifies a significant failure or error. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is valid and appears in credible sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical lapse" denotes a significant failure or oversight, typically with serious consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and suitable for formal contexts. It's most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific writings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on severity. Alternatives include "significant oversight" or "major blunder", depending on the precise nuance you want to convey. Be mindful not to overuse it for minor errors, as this can dilute its impact. "Critical lapse" should be reserved for situations where the failing has far-reaching effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant oversight

Emphasizes the neglect or failure to notice something important.

major blunder

Highlights a serious mistake, often with negative consequences.

serious error

Focuses on the incorrectness of an action or decision with potentially severe implications.

grave mistake

Underscores the weight and importance of the error.

vital failure

Indicates a breakdown in something essential or necessary.

key failing

Points to a crucial weakness or deficiency.

substantial slip-up

Refers to a considerable mistake or inadvertent error.

momentous slip

Highlights the importance of the mistake itself.

pivotal error

Points to an error that had a large impact on proceeding events.

severe deficiency

Emphasizes the intensity of the fault or lack of something.

FAQs

How can I use "critical lapse" in a sentence?

You can use "critical lapse" to describe a serious failure or oversight that has significant consequences. For example, "The investigation revealed a "critical lapse" in safety protocols that led to the accident."

What are some alternatives to "critical lapse"?

Alternatives include "significant oversight", "major blunder", or "serious error", depending on the specific context.

Is "critical lapse" a formal or informal expression?

"Critical lapse" is suitable for formal and professional contexts, as well as news reporting. It conveys a serious tone and emphasizes the significance of the error.

What distinguishes a "critical lapse" from a simple mistake?

A "critical lapse" implies that the mistake had serious repercussions or involved a significant failure in judgment or procedure. A simple mistake might be minor and easily rectified, while a "critical lapse" often leads to substantial negative outcomes.