had a mishap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a mishap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfortunate accident or incident that has occurred. Example: "During the camping trip, we had a mishap when our tent collapsed in the middle of the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We had a mishap in the pits that set us back quite a bit.

The New York Times

Mr. Spiers, who has Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification, says he has never had a mishap.

The New York Times

As it turned out, he was renovating his home and had had a mishap with a sanding machine the previous night.

The Guardian

A SATURDAY night a few days before Hartford Stage's formal premiere of its early-summer offering, "My Fair Lady," Simon Jones, who plays Professor Henry Higgins, had a mishap backstage.

The New York Times

Another, who wanted to bring one of my favorite desserts, Dione Lucas's very delicate chocolate roll, had a mishap when she was rolling up the flourless cake around the whipped cream.

The New York Times - Food

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Person's colt, Porterhouse, who won the Futurity at Belmont Park and then had a mishap in the Pimlico Futurity, has been at Santa Anita since December.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Any organisation can have a "mishap", he says, but adds that it is important to reassure donors that steps have been taken to prevent similar future incidents.

The Guardian

These involve a battle between some monsters, including Susan — who, I should mention, has a mishap that makes her grotesquely gigantic, though since the movie's sense of scale is wildly inconsistent, it's hard to say just how gigantic — and what is technically only one alien, a many-legged, many-eyed intergalactic imperialist voiced by Rainn Wilson.

The New York Times

Sporn admits the center did have a mishap, an unplanned pregnancy involving Cuddles and Star, a pair of cocker spaniels.

Los Angeles Times

Not necessarily wanting to cause self-harm, but if I were to have a mishap, at least it wouldn't necessarily have been my fault.

Vice

One of the major "ah, ha" moments I've had as a counselor, is that people who are really successful in life are those individuals who can make a mistake or have a mishap and not let it overwhelm them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an incident, use "had a mishap" to downplay the severity, suggesting it was a minor, unintended event. This can be useful in contexts where you want to avoid alarming the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "had a mishap" when the incident was severe or had significant consequences. Use more direct and serious language if the event was truly damaging or harmful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a mishap" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing an event that occurred to the subject. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is appropriate for describing an unfortunate incident. Examples from the search data illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had a mishap" is a grammatically sound and neutrally formal way to describe a minor unfortunate event or accident. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, according to the search data. When writing, use this phrase to downplay the severity of an event, but avoid it when the incident was genuinely serious. Alternatives like ""had an accident"" or ""encountered a problem"" can be used depending on the specific context. Its frequency is classified as uncommon, and the phrase serves to inform or narrate, typically minimizing the impact of the event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had an accident

A more direct and general term for an unintentional event.

encountered a problem

Focuses on the problem aspect rather than the accident itself.

faced an issue

Highlights the problematic nature of the incident requiring resolution.

experienced a setback

Highlights the hindering aspect of the incident.

suffered a misfortune

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the event.

met with a difficulty

Emphasizes encountering a challenging or problematic situation.

ran into difficulty

Suggests a challenge or obstacle that arose unexpectedly.

endured a complication

Highlights the complex or intricate nature of the unfortunate event.

underwent an ordeal

Stresses the difficult or painful experience that was endured.

stumbled upon a snag

Implies encountering a minor or unexpected obstacle.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "had a mishap"?

Saying someone "had a mishap" means they experienced a minor accident or unfortunate event. It's a way to describe something that went wrong, often without serious consequences.

Which is correct, "had a mishap" or "had an mishap"?

"Had a mishap" is the correct phrasing. The word "mishap" begins with a consonant sound, so the article "a" is appropriate.

What can I say instead of "had a mishap"?

You can use alternatives like "had an accident", "encountered a problem", or "experienced a setback" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "had a mishap"?

The phrase "had a mishap" is relatively neutral in formality and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. It is generally suitable for describing everyday occurrences without being overly technical or casual.