egregious mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "egregious mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a particularly shocking or outstanding error, often one that is serious in nature. Example: "The company's decision to ignore safety regulations was an egregious mistake that led to severe consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Perhaps the most egregious mistake I found was a single alteration made to the original Coptic.

The New York Times

DealBook » Dimon Says JPMorgan Made a 'Terrible Egregious Mistake'  |  Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan's chief executive, told NBC's "Meet the Press" that its chief investment office's $2 billion trading loss was a "terrible egregious mistake".

The New York Times

The Schröder government gave priority to structural reforms over fiscal consolidation, which today's Merkel government regards as an egregious mistake.

The Economist

But your insistence that "We made a terrible, egregious mistake" is a lesson in leadership for your peers.

The New York Times

Graham's most egregious mistake occurred when he muffed a punt and lost possession for the return team.

The New York Times

"We made a terrible, egregious mistake and there's almost no excuse for it," Mr. Dimon said, adding that the bank was "sloppy" and "stupid".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

These were egregious mistakes.

The New York Times

His model store was committing egregious mistakes.

The New York Times - Magazine

No embarrassing mishaps at quarterback, no egregious mistakes or defensive breakdowns.

The New York Times - Sports

"But this is not a story of adult children cutting off parents who made egregious mistakes.

The New York Times

A more humble Mr. Dimon on Thursday said "egregious mistakes" were made.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "egregious mistake", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the severity and impact of the error. This phrase is most effective when the consequences are significant or far-reaching.

Common error

Avoid using "egregious mistake" to describe trivial errors. This phrase carries a strong connotation of severity, and applying it to minor issues can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic. Choose a less dramatic term when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "egregious mistake" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "egregious" modifies the noun "mistake". It identifies a specific kind of error that is remarkably bad or shocking. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "egregious mistake" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a particularly shocking or serious error. Ludwig confirms that it appears frequently in news and media sources, as well as in formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the strong negative connotation, and avoid overusing it in minor situations. Alternative phrases such as "flagrant error" or "grave error" can be used for slight variations in meaning or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flagrant error

Replaces "mistake" with "error" and "egregious" with "flagrant", emphasizing the conspicuous nature of the error, with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

grave error

Replaces "egregious" with "grave", highlighting the seriousness and potential consequences of the mistake.

glaring blunder

Substitutes "mistake" with "blunder" and "egregious" with "glaring", suggesting a very obvious and easily noticeable error.

atrocious error

Uses "atrocious" instead of "egregious" to describe the mistake, intensifying the negative connotation and suggesting extreme poorness.

terrible error

Emphasizes the negative impact of the error by using "terrible" instead of "egregious", simplifying the language.

serious oversight

Replaces "mistake" with "oversight" and "egregious" with "serious", highlighting the neglectful aspect of the mistake, making it less accusatory.

critical misstep

Substitutes "mistake" with "misstep" and "egregious" with "critical", focusing on the flawed action and its significant impact.

major failing

Uses "failing" instead of "mistake" and "major" instead of "egregious", emphasizing the significant negative outcome or consequence of the mistake.

monumental lapse

Replaces "mistake" with "lapse" and "egregious" with "monumental", emphasizing the great extent and impact of the error.

significant fault

Uses "fault" instead of "mistake" and "significant" instead of "egregious", highlighting the responsibility and importance of the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "egregious mistake" to describe a particularly shocking or outstanding error. For example, "The company's decision to ignore safety regulations was an "egregious mistake" that led to severe consequences."

What are some alternatives to "egregious mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "flagrant error", "glaring blunder", or "grave error" depending on the context.

What makes a mistake "egregious"?

A mistake is considered "egregious" when it is particularly shocking, outstandingly bad, or conspicuously incorrect, often with significant negative consequences.

Is it redundant to say "terrible, egregious mistake"?

While both "terrible" and "egregious" emphasize the severity of the mistake, using both can sometimes be seen as redundant. However, it can also be used for emphasis, depending on the desired effect. Consider if adding "terrible" truly strengthens the message or if it's unnecessary, as "egregious mistake" already implies a terrible error.