gross mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"gross mistake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a mistake that is particularly serious, egregious, or embarrassing. For example, "My boss was very angry when I made a gross mistake on the project I was working on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Its data should correct "a gross mistake that is an embarrassment to astronomy", he told the Observer.

The Guardian

Several high-ranking officials in President Hamid Karzai's government say Mr. Hekmati's detention at Guantánamo was a gross mistake.

The New York Times

Nature had to exist to provide material for spirit to overcome, although it was a gross mistake to think of it as essentially a lifeless mechanism.

Britannica

If the jury acted upon a gross mistake of facts, or were governed by some improper influence or bias, the remedy therefore rested with the court below, under its general power to set aside the verdict.

Cornell University

Mr Klaus said the authorities had made a "gross mistake" and demanded a formal explanation.In this section The French lesson Wagging the west Mission to Ankara Potemkin fleet Undesirable Persson Bonking ravers ReprintsThe police have plenty of supporters, however.

The Economist

Yet it would be a gross mistake to ignore the third member of the triumvirate, Neymar, who has lifted his game on to an even higher plane this season.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Even the authorities have made gross mistakes.

The New York Times

Even Deng Xiaoping, Mao's most prominent successor, signed off on a judgment that Mao had made "gross mistakes".

The New York Times - Arts

They need public agencies and regulators to save us from gross mistakes, and, paradoxically, to protect the pluralism that the market process extinguishes.

The Guardian

Their failure, in Mr Obama's first term, to advance the cause of peace between Jews and Arabs was due to gross mistakes on both sides, though Mr Netanyahu was the guiltier party.

The Economist

While still celebrating Mao, the ruling party has acknowledged the "gross mistakes" of a man whose Great Leap Forward resulted in a famine which killed tens of millions of people in the early 1960s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gross mistake" to emphasize the severity and impact of an error. It's suitable when the mistake has significant consequences or reveals a serious flaw in judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "gross mistake" for trivial errors or minor inconveniences. This can diminish the phrase's impact when describing genuinely serious blunders. Reserve it for situations where the error is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross mistake" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gross" modifies the noun "mistake". Ludwig indicates it is grammatically correct and usable in written English to describe a particularly serious, egregious, or embarrassing error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gross mistake" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the seriousness and impact of an error. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, noting its suitability for describing particularly egregious or embarrassing errors. While prevalent in News & Media and Academic contexts, it is essential to reserve this expression for genuinely significant blunders and avoid overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases like "severe error" and "major blunder" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, with varying degrees of intensity. Remember to consider the context and desired emphasis when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe error

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the error.

major blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or carelessness of the mistake.

egregious error

Focuses on the shocking or outstandingly bad nature of the error.

grave misjudgment

Suggests a failure in decision-making with serious implications.

critical failing

Underscores the importance of what went wrong and its impact.

terrible oversight

Highlights that something important was missed or ignored.

significant lapse

Implies a temporary failure of attention or judgment.

colossal miscalculation

Emphasizes the scale and impact of the miscalculation.

serious indiscretion

Points to a lack of good judgment or a breach of trust.

palpable error

Indicates that the error is easily noticeable or obvious.

FAQs

How to use "gross mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "gross mistake" to describe a significant error with notable consequences, as in "The company's financial loss was due to a "gross mistake" in their accounting practices."

What can I say instead of "gross mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "severe error", "major blunder", or "egregious error" to express a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "gross mistake" or "big mistake"?

"Gross mistake" implies a higher degree of severity and consequence compared to the more general term "big mistake". Use "gross mistake" when the error has serious implications.

What's the difference between "gross mistake" and "honest mistake"?

A ""gross mistake"" suggests negligence or incompetence, while an "honest mistake" implies an error made in good faith without malicious intent or carelessness.