egregious failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "egregious failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or shocking failure, often in a formal or critical context. Example: "The company's decision to ignore safety regulations resulted in an egregious failure that endangered employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Therein lies the show's most egregious failure.

The Washington Post

Why are you so interested in egregious failure?

The Guardian - Books

"The most egregious failure was by the WHO in the delay in sounding the alarm.

Independent

"The most egregious failure was by WHO in the delay in sounding the alarm," said Harvard's Ashish Jha.

Harvard University

2) The difference between 6 and 7: not just Honor Code violations (which my uncle didn't mention), but also egregious failure.

Princeton University

Even if the mistakes amount to an egregious failure, the argument still needs to give reasons to think that Romney will do a better job.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Among the state's egregious failures is not providing adequate defense counsel in capital cases.

The New York Times

Mr. McCain's speech highlighted some of the most egregious failures of the failed Bush presidency.

The New York Times

What his Lean LaunchPad approach does is help entrepreneurs avoid some of the most egregious failures, which he explains are often caused by hubris.

Stanford University

But if, by contrast, the Great Recession was in material part the product of intentional fraud, the failure to prosecute those responsible must be judged one of the more egregious failures of the criminal justice system in many years.

Columbia University

The most that can be said for Jackson's victory is that it distracted attention from the egregious failures of political and military leadership that had marked James Madison's War.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "egregious failure" to describe situations where the failure is not only significant but also shockingly bad or conspicuously wrong. It carries a strong connotation of something being outrageously unacceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "egregious failure" for minor errors or setbacks. Its strong connotation can make your assessment seem overly dramatic or hyperbolic in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "egregious failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object to describe an event or situation characterized by a significant and shocking lack of success. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase denotes something outrageously unacceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "egregious failure" is a noun phrase used to describe a significantly bad failure, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and academic contexts. The phrase serves to critique or condemn an action or outcome, emphasizing its severity and unacceptability. While it's a valid and powerful phrase, ensure you reserve it for situations where the failure is not only substantial but also shockingly unacceptable, to avoid appearing hyperbolic. Consider alternatives like "colossal mistake" or "major blunder" for situations that don't warrant the strong condemnation implied by "egregious failure".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colossal mistake

Emphasizes the magnitude and impact of the error.

major blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or lack of skill involved in the failure.

critical failing

Focuses on the importance and significance of the failure.

serious shortcoming

Underscores a deficiency or inadequacy that led to the failure.

notable lapse

Emphasizes a temporary deviation from expected standards.

significant debacle

Highlights the chaotic and embarrassing nature of the failure.

terrible mismanagement

Focuses on the poor handling or administration that caused the failure.

gross negligence

Implies a severe lack of care or attention to duty.

complete disaster

Emphasizes the totality and destructiveness of the failure.

monumental error

Highlights the scale and historical significance of the error.

FAQs

How to use "egregious failure" in a sentence?

You can use "egregious failure" to describe a situation where something went wrong in a shockingly bad way. For example, "The company's disregard for safety protocols resulted in an "egregious failure" that put employees at risk".

What can I say instead of "egregious failure"?

You can use alternatives like "colossal mistake", "major blunder", or "critical failing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each carries a slightly different emphasis on the nature and impact of the failure.

Which is correct, "egregious failure" or "egregious mistake"?

Both "egregious failure" and "egregious mistake" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Failure" suggests a lack of success or a breakdown in performance, while "mistake" implies an error in judgment or action. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "egregious failure" and "simple mistake"?

The key difference lies in the severity and impact. An "egregious failure" is a shockingly bad and significant failure, while a "simple mistake" is a minor error with limited consequences. The former implies a much greater degree of culpability or negligence.