ethical failing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ethical failing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has acted in a way that is morally wrong or has violated ethical standards. Example: "The company's decision to prioritize profit over employee welfare was seen as a significant ethical failing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If her concentration slips, if she falters in the debates or is upended by some ethical failing, if some event (a terrorist act, for instance) takes place that allows Trump to twist its meaning and rally voters to his banner of America First if any of that happens, not only could the prospect of a female President remain a fantasy but power will be in the hands of a malevolent fraud.

The New Yorker

In a massive exercise intended to demonstrate moral authority to students, a Harvard leader herself became a public spectacle of a major ethical failing.

Huffington Post

This gambling is, of course, illegal, but as long as you duly report your winnings to the Internal Revenue Service, you should not see this activity as a moral or ethical failing.

Huffington Post

The Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services said the St . Louis County Police Departmenthad a "pattern of light discipline" for cases of ethical failing and untruthfulness and needed to "reinforce the openness of the complaint process" on its website.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ms Handel's opponents accused her of being too soft on abortion and gay rights, while she attacked them for ethical failings (the Office of Congressional Ethics alleged that Mr Deal used his office to protect a programme that enriched him, and that he exceeded the limit on outside income).

The Economist

"Ethical failings in a politician are like raisins in a cookie," he explained.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He's a staunch backer of Goldman Sachs, for all its ethical failings.

The Guardian - Business

Hubris, he reckons, has led to some of the profession's most egregious ethical failings.

The Economist

But there are also Democrats whose campaigns havebeen marked by claims of ethical failings in widely varying degrees.

The New York Times

Some 70 professors at Texas Tech have signed a petition that protests your appointment and cites your "ethical failings," including misleading Congress abut the firing of nine federal prosecutors.

The New York Times - Magazine

The problematic stories already surfacing about his administration are ignored or minimized, because they are not about ethical failings, only those of public policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ethical failing" to describe specific instances of unethical behavior, rather than general character flaws.

Common error

The term "ethical failing" implies a serious breach of ethical principles. Avoid using it for minor errors or unintentional oversights that do not involve a violation of ethical standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethical failing" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies a specific instance of unethical behavior or a violation of ethical principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, referring to a failure to adhere to accepted moral standards.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ethical failing" is a noun phrase used to describe a violation of ethical standards, often in professional or public contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is both correct and usable. The term is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media sources. Related phrases include "moral lapse" and "ethical breach". When using "ethical failing", specificity about the violated standards is key, and it should not be used for minor, unintentional errors. While the phrase has a low occurrence, when is used it provides a clear description of the absence of morality in any situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral lapse

Focuses on a temporary deviation from moral standards.

ethical breach

Emphasizes the violation of established ethical rules or codes.

moral transgression

Highlights the crossing of moral boundaries.

failure of ethics

Directly points to a deficiency in ethical conduct.

ethical violation

Similar to "ethical breach" but can encompass a broader range of violations.

professional misconduct

Specifically relates to ethical breaches within a professional context.

breach of ethics

Another way to express the violation of ethical principles.

moral deficiency

Indicates a lack of moral qualities or principles.

lapse in judgment

Focuses on a mistake in decision-making that leads to unethical behavior.

ethical compromise

Suggests a situation where ethical principles are sacrificed, often for expediency.

FAQs

What is an example of an "ethical failing"?

An example of an "ethical failing" is a politician using public funds for personal gain, which violates the ethical standards of public service.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "ethical failing"?

You can use alternatives such as "moral lapse", "ethical breach", or "moral transgression" depending on the specific context.

How does an "ethical failing" differ from a simple mistake?

An "ethical failing" involves a violation of established ethical principles or standards, whereas a simple mistake is typically an unintentional error without ethical implications.

Is "ethical failing" the same as "moral failing"?

While similar, "ethical failing" often refers to breaches of a specific code of ethics (e.g., in business or medicine), whereas "moral failing" can refer to a broader range of personal moral standards.