fatal missteps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fatal missteps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe serious mistakes or errors that have significant negative consequences. Example: "The company's decision to ignore safety regulations led to fatal missteps that resulted in a major disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Investigators later faulted BP and its contractors for fatal missteps.

The Guardian

She lost because of her own — and her husband's and Mark Penn's — fatal missteps.

The New York Times

The fire at the former bank headquarters at 130 Liberty Street, alongside ground zero, exposed a tangle of mysteries about the ill-fated deconstruction project, which has stalled several times over the last three years, and a series of possibly fatal missteps.

The New York Times

The former Indiana governor said that, with such seemingly fatal missteps as Trump's failed health-care plan and travel bans, as well as any number of unhinged outbursts, "It feels like I've come close to getting in there maybe ten or twelve times.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Then the Scranton campaign made a fatal misstep.

The New York Times

We didn't like putting aside any accomplished book because its author had made a single fatal misstep.

The New Yorker

Rather than braggadocio, I took this as their way of reminding themselves to avoid making a fatal misstep.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a painting he had dwelled on a little too long, had taken a fatal misstep with, and had spoiled.

The New Yorker

Matz was the trainer of Barbaro, the superhorse who won here in 2006 and took that fatal misstep two weeks later at the Preakness.

The New York Times - Sports

For all of its pathos, this is not a tragedy, for tragedies arise from some hero's fatal misstep, and no one here is either heroic or deluded.

The New York Times - Books

A8 Mexico Cartel's Fatal Misstep The killing of a Mexican drug prosecutor 23 months ago was the beginning of the end for Mexico's most powerful drug cartel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fatal missteps" to emphasize the severe and irreversible consequences of mistakes, particularly in contexts where accountability and prevention are crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "fatal missteps" in everyday conversations or situations where the consequences are not truly life-altering or devastating; reserve it for situations where the gravity of the errors is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fatal missteps" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usage to describe significant errors with severe consequences. Examples show it referring to failures in business, politics and accident investigations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fatal missteps" is a noun phrase used to describe critical errors with severe consequences. Ludwig AI validates this understanding, showing its usage in scenarios like business failures, political downfalls, and accident investigations. Primarily found in news and media, the phrase carries a neutral to formal register, depending on the context. When writing, reserve "fatal missteps" for truly grave situations, and consider alternatives like "critical blunders" or "serious mistakes" for similar but less intense meanings. Be mindful of overuse in casual conversations. The phrase's purpose is to highlight accountability and emphasize the need for preventative measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical blunders

Emphasizes the significant negative impact of the errors.

grave errors

Highlights the seriousness and potential consequences of the mistakes.

serious mistakes

Focuses on the severity of the errors made.

costly mistakes

Highlights the financial or material repercussions of the errors.

damaging errors

Emphasizes the harm caused by the mistakes.

catastrophic errors

Implies errors that lead to devastating consequences.

decisive failures

Focuses on failures that determine the outcome.

irreversible errors

Highlights the errors that cannot be undone or corrected.

terminal errors

Draws attention to the finality or ultimate nature of the mistakes.

grievous blunders

Emphasizes the distressing or painful nature of the errors.

FAQs

How can I use "fatal missteps" in a sentence?

You can use "fatal missteps" to describe critical errors that lead to severe negative outcomes. For instance: "The company's negligence resulted in a series of "fatal missteps" that led to the accident."

What are some alternatives to "fatal missteps"?

Alternatives include "critical blunders", "grave errors", or "serious mistakes". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "fatal missteps"?

Use "fatal missteps" when you want to emphasize the severity and irreversible nature of errors, particularly in situations involving accountability, prevention, and significant negative consequences.

Is "fatal mistake" or "fatal misstep" more appropriate?

Both "fatal mistake" and "fatal misstep" are correct, but "fatal missteps" implies a series of errors rather than a single isolated incident. Choose the term that best reflects the situation you are describing.