massive mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"massive mistake" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "I made a massive mistake by not speaking up when I knew the answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a massive mistake.

The Guardian

"I really feel that was a massive mistake".

The Guardian - Music

And here is where the Times made a massive mistake.

The Guardian

Those five Republicans were guilty of "a massive mistake and betrayal," Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times

It was a massive mistake, compounded by the player's own insistence that he was fit to play.

The Guardian - Sport

He added that it was "a massive mistake on my part" and that the miscarriage had caused them to panic.

The New York Times - Sports

"I realise now that it was a massive mistake to say my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it.

The Guardian - Sport

Lord Winston, the doctor and Labour peer, said Hunt was making "a massive mistake" by imposing the contract.

The Guardian

Bellamy said: "If Swansea get rid of him I believe it would be a massive mistake and I'm quite strong on that.

Independent

The investment was "a massive mistake," Mr. Odero said, as quota restrictions, falling fish prices and rising fuel costs left his income stagnant.

The New York Times

"Mr Shorten is only supporting a delay, because the TWU itself understands that it has made a massive mistake with this pay order," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "massive mistake", ensure the context reflects the significant scale or impact of the error. For less impactful errors, consider milder alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "massive mistake" for minor errors or inconveniences. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility. Reserve it for situations where the error truly has significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive mistake" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant error. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often acts as a subject complement or object of a verb, indicating the severity of the mistake.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "massive mistake" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes a significant error with substantial consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to business communications. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, expressing strong disapproval or concern, and its usage is most frequent in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" settings. When using "massive mistake", ensure that the context aligns with the gravity of the error to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "colossal blunder" or "grave error" can also be considered to suit the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave error

Highlights the seriousness and potentially harmful consequences of the mistake.

terrible error

Indicates a very bad or unpleasant mistake, emphasizing the negative feeling associated with it.

colossal blunder

Emphasizes the scale and impact of the mistake, suggesting a severe and conspicuous error.

huge misjudgment

Focuses on the poor decision-making that led to the mistake, highlighting the faulty judgment.

serious miscalculation

Focuses on the aspect of incorrect planning or assessment leading to the mistake.

critical failure

Highlights the failure of a crucial aspect or component, leading to a significant negative outcome.

costly mistake

Highlights the financial or other detrimental consequences of the mistake.

major oversight

Suggests a failure to notice or consider something important, resulting in a significant mistake.

significant lapse

Suggests a temporary failure in attention or judgment, resulting in a noticeable mistake.

bad call

An informal way of saying that a decision was a mistake. This is applicable to colloquial contexts.

FAQs

What does "massive mistake" mean?

A "massive mistake" refers to a very large or significant error, often with serious consequences. It implies the mistake is not minor but has a substantial impact.

What can I say instead of "massive mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "colossal blunder", "grave error", or "serious miscalculation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "massive mistake" in formal writing?

Yes, "massive mistake" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing significant errors or failures. However, consider the tone and audience and choose the most precise and impactful phrase.

What's the difference between "massive mistake" and "small error"?

The key difference lies in the scale and impact. A "massive mistake" has substantial consequences and widespread effects, whereas a "small error" is minor and easily corrected with minimal impact.