lapse of reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"lapse of reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a situation in which someone's judgment or reasoning becomes impaired or weakened. For example, "After hours of debate, the council made an illogical decision, leading to a lapse of reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

All this reached its apogee in 1987, with the sleeve art for Pink Floyd's A Momentary Lapse of Reason.

The Guardian - Music

Mark Jones A snapshot of Pink Floyd circa 1988, filmed at New York's Nassau Coliseum – the culmination of their stadium-tastic Momentary Lapse of Reason tour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" (1987), he hauled 700 iron hospital beds to the beach and arranged them in rows stretching out to the horizon.

The New York Times - Arts

For the cover of A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), Thorgerson painstakingly arranged 700 hospital beds stretching away into infinity on a beach, later admitting that it was "madness to do it".

The Guardian - Arts

I had nothing to do with either of the Pink Floyd studio albums, Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell, nor the Pink Floyd tours of 1987 and 1994, and I have nothing to do with Endless River.

Independent

In the late 1980s Wright, Gilmour, and Mason released two albums, including the ponderous A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994), while Waters pursued a solo career.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I don't like to bring up these little lapses of judgement (or, in this case, horrendous lapses of reason) but it's an interesting story and deserves at least a brief mention.

TechCrunch

A misinformed comment here, a careless step of brinkmanship there; a never-to-be-explained incident here, an embarrassing lapse of human reason there... and suddenly there are all the elements of a classic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the band were initially apprehensive about recording together, after the first day their confidence improved and soon, bassist Guy Pratt (who had, since the end of the Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour, become an item with Wright's daughter, Gala Wright) was asked to contribute.

Wikipedia

The criminal case was closed in Ukraine in January 2005 due to lack of evidence, and in Russia in December 2005 by reason of lapse of time.

Wikipedia

People let policies lapse for a variety of reasons, including divorce, lack of financial discipline and a desire to switch to a different kind of life insurance.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lapse of reason" to describe a temporary deviation from logical thinking or sound judgment, especially when emphasizing the transient nature of the error. For example, "His outburst was attributed to a momentary "lapse of reason".

Common error

Avoid assuming malicious intent when someone exhibits a "lapse of reason". It is crucial to differentiate between deliberate wrongdoing and unintentional errors in judgment. Consider contextual factors and available evidence before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse of reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a state or instance where logical thinking is temporarily impaired.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lapse of reason" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a temporary deviation from logical thinking or sound judgment. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is particularly useful in explaining actions or decisions that seem irrational or uncharacteristic. While not exceptionally common, appearing mostly in news and media contexts, the phrase is versatile and applicable across different registers, maintaining a generally neutral tone. Related phrases such as "moment of irrationality" or "breakdown in judgment" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression depending on the specific context. When using "lapse of reason", it's essential to avoid attributing malice where mere cognitive error may be the root cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary lapse in judgment

Adds emphasis to the transient nature of the error.

moment of irrationality

Focuses on the temporary state of being irrational.

temporary insanity

Implies a brief period of mental instability.

breakdown in judgment

Highlights the failure of sound decision-making.

failure of logic

Emphasizes the absence of logical reasoning.

loss of rationality

Indicates a state where rationality is absent.

intellectual slip

Suggests a minor error in thinking.

cognitive misstep

Highlights an error in cognitive processing.

mental aberration

Implies a deviation from normal mental function.

reasoning error

Focuses specifically on errors in the reasoning process.

FAQs

How can I use "lapse of reason" in a sentence?

You can use "lapse of reason" to describe a temporary failure in someone's ability to think logically or make sound judgments. For example, "The committee's decision was seen as a "lapse of reason" due to the lack of supporting evidence".

What is a good alternative to "lapse of reason"?

Alternatives to "lapse of reason" include "moment of irrationality", "temporary insanity", or "breakdown in judgment", depending on the context.

Is "lapse of reason" a formal or informal phrase?

"Lapse of reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more frequently used in news reporting and analytical writing.

What's the difference between "lapse of reason" and "mistake"?

While a "mistake" is a general term for an error, a "lapse of reason" specifically implies a temporary failure in logical thinking or sound judgment. It suggests a cognitive error rather than a simple oversight.