greatest misjudgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest misjudgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant error in judgment or decision-making, often with serious consequences. Example: "His greatest misjudgment was underestimating the impact of the economic downturn on his business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Opinion

Football

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Although I always feared, and warned in 1993, that the emergence of sectarian strife was a risk after Mr. Hussein's fall, my greatest misjudgment was in hoping that Iraq's new leaders would act for the collective Iraqi good.

The New York Times

Biting at the heels of anxious Tory MPs comes Ukip's Nigel Farage accusing Cameron of "his greatest misjudgment yet" and gloating that his anti-war stance is "the single most popular thing Ukip's ever said".

The Guardian - Opinion

She even told me once that she felt suicidal, an admission that I digested more as an expression of how depressed she felt rather than something that was building into an actual intention - the greatest misjudgment I could have made.

The Guardian - Books

Jacob Steinberg Match report: Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham United Romelu Lukaku is vying with Kevin De Bruyne to win the Who Is José Mourinho's Greatest Misjudgment contest and his latest entry came with the scintillating solo goal on Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Far greater misjudgments have been made by others at the top.

The New York Times

One big, misjudgment can put you in the place".

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, it is now obvious that we are living through one of the great economic misjudgments of modern times.

The Guardian - Opinion

By threatening to veto it, Mr. Bush is showing great consistency of misjudgment.

The New York Times

This results in a great number of misjudgments [ 3– 15].

Annals of Oncology

A worrier, perhaps a perfectionist…" When Grant discovers that this is the face of one of English history's greatest villains, he is aghast at his misjudgment and sets to uncover the "historical truth" about Richard of Gloucester.

The Guardian - Books

There are times when even the greatest basketball player on the planet makes misjudgments.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greatest misjudgment", ensure the context clearly establishes whose judgment is being referenced and why it is considered the 'greatest'.

Common error

Avoid using "greatest misjudgment" lightly; reserve it for situations where the error truly had significant and demonstrable consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest misjudgment" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific error in judgment, with 'greatest' acting as a superlative adjective modifying the noun 'misjudgment'. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

12%

Sport

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greatest misjudgment" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a notably significant error in judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Book, and Sport contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the subject making the misjudgment and the consequences of that error. Reserve its use for situations with genuinely substantial repercussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical error in judgment

Emphasizes the judgmental aspect of the mistake by adding "error in judgment".

worst mistake

Substitutes "misjudgment" with "mistake", which is a more common and direct term.

biggest blunder

Replaces "misjudgment" with "blunder", emphasizing the clumsiness or foolishness of the error.

gravest lapse in judgment

Emphasizes the seriousness of the error by calling it "grave".

most significant error

Replaces "greatest misjudgment" with a more neutral and formal term.

principal miscalculation

Replaces "misjudgment" with "miscalculation", suggesting a flawed calculation or assessment.

major oversight

Replaces "misjudgment" with "oversight", suggesting that something important was missed.

primary failing

Replaces "misjudgment" with "failing", shifting the focus to a more inherent flaw.

most unfortunate decision

Focuses on the negative consequences of the error by calling it "unfortunate".

supreme act of folly

Replaces "misjudgment" with "folly", highlighting the foolish nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "greatest misjudgment" in a sentence?

You can use "greatest misjudgment" to describe a significant error in judgment, such as, "His greatest misjudgment was underestimating the competition."

What are some alternatives to using "greatest misjudgment"?

You can use alternatives like "biggest blunder", "most significant error", or "worst mistake" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "greatest misjudgment" in formal writing?

Yes, "greatest misjudgment" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a significant error. Consider alternatives like "most significant error" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "greatest misjudgment" and "simple mistake"?

"Greatest misjudgment" implies a severe error with substantial negative consequences, while a "simple mistake" refers to a minor error with minimal impact.