major blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major blunder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant mistake or error in judgment or action. Example: "The team's failure to meet the deadline was a major blunder that cost them the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A day later, however, he seemed almost ecstatic--a hated foe had made a major blunder.

The New Yorker

Many people see the proposed cuts in Social Security as the Reagan administration's first major blunder.

The New Yorker

The effort to tarnish Mr. Bruno was the first major blunder of Mr. Spitzer's first term.

The New York Times

As an Orioles fan, losing Davey Johnson was a major blunder.

The New York Times - Sports

On the plus side, he has not so far made a major blunder.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the worst-case-scenario narrative were 100 percent accurate, would that mean Mr. Obama had committed a major blunder?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Yes, the I.M.F. made some major blunders.

The New York Times

If re-elected, he would probably commit no major blunders, which also is no small thing.

The New York Times

Gore officials contend that Mr. Bush made two major blunders in the debate.

The New York Times

The ceremony was free of any major blunders, but some critics complained that it fell flat.

The Guardian - Film

The problem of inadequate counsel permeates the system, with many indigent defendants sentenced to death after major blunders by court-assigned lawyers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "major blunder" to underscore the severity and consequences of a mistake, particularly when discussing decisions or actions with significant repercussions.

Common error

While "major blunder" is widely applicable, be mindful of using it excessively in casual conversation; opt for more suitable terms like "big mistake" or "slip-up" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major blunder" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object to describe a significant mistake. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major blunder" is a frequently used noun phrase that signifies a significant and consequential error. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, primarily in news, formal business writing, and analytical discussions. While semantically interchangeable with alternatives like "serious error" or "grave mistake", "major blunder" effectively underscores the severity of a mistake. When writing, it is useful to reserve "major blunder" for situations involving notably significant negative outcomes, and to consider the audience when deciding if a more informal phrase would be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious error

Focuses on the severity of the mistake.

grave mistake

Emphasizes the serious consequences of the error.

significant oversight

Highlights the neglectful aspect of the error.

costly misstep

Underscores the negative repercussions of the action.

critical failure

Stresses the importance of what went wrong.

huge error

Indicates the large scale of the mistake.

monumental error

Highlights the vastness and significance of the error.

terrible mistake

Focuses on the extremely negative nature of the blunder.

grievous error

Emphasizes the painful and damaging nature of the mistake.

epic fail

Informal expression conveying a spectacular failure.

FAQs

How to use "major blunder" in a sentence?

You can use "major blunder" to describe a significant error or mistake, such as "The company's decision to ignore market trends proved to be a "major blunder" that led to substantial losses."

What can I say instead of "major blunder"?

You can use alternatives like "serious error", "grave mistake", or "significant oversight" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "major blunder" or "major mistake"?

Both "major blunder" and "major mistake" are correct, but ""major blunder"" often implies a more significant and consequential error than "major mistake".

What's the difference between "major blunder" and "minor mistake"?

"Major blunder" refers to a significant and impactful error, whereas "minor mistake" refers to a small and less consequential error. The choice depends on the severity of the error you are describing.