miss a step

USAGE SUMMARY

"miss a step" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that someone has failed to do or failed to take into account. For example, "I must have missed a step somewhere because my calculations were off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Slay did not miss a step tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

The mailman didn't miss a step.

The New York Times

When animal rights protesters interrupted a speech Thursday, she didn't seem to miss a step.

The Washington Post

IMPORTANT: Read and follow these instructions very carefully; if you miss a step, you'll be unable to print.

Harvard University

Recently a tourist set up a tripod 20 feet from where I was lunging, but I didn't miss a step.

The New York Times - Arts

But after he retired in 1988, Wal-Mart did not miss a step, growing faster than ever.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Maybe he missed a step.

The Guardian - Sport

He never misses a step.

The New York Times

He popped the pills down without missing a step.

The New Yorker

"I feel like you're missing a step," Plaza said.

The New Yorker

In navigating a 3-hour-27-minute game, the Cardinals hardly missed a step.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone on a multi-stage task, use "miss a step" to emphasize the importance of following the correct order to avoid failure. For example, "In baking, if you miss a step in the recipe, the cake might not rise properly".

Common error

Avoid using "miss a step" when you mean "skip a beat." While both involve omission, "miss a step" refers to a process or sequence, while "skip a beat" often describes a momentary pause or emotional reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miss a step" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of omitting or failing to properly execute a stage or action in a process. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "miss a step" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of omitting or failing to properly execute an action in a sequence. Ludwig AI validates this, providing numerous examples across diverse contexts like News & Media, Academia, and Wiki. While versatile, it’s important not to confuse it with similar phrases like "skip a beat". When using it in writing, consider the specific context and ensure it accurately conveys the consequence of neglecting an action. Consider alternatives like "make an error" or "overlook a detail" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skip a stage

Directly relates to omitting a step in a process, maintaining high similarity.

fail to account for

Highlights the failure to consider something important, similar to missing a necessary action.

make an error

Focuses on the action of making a mistake, broader than missing a specific step.

overlook a detail

Focuses on neglecting a specific piece of information.

neglect an aspect

Highlights the failure to give attention to a particular part of something.

stumble

Emphasizes a loss of balance or a minor mistake that disrupts progress.

drop the ball

An idiom indicating a failure to fulfill a responsibility or make progress.

make a blunder

Emphasizes a significant mistake or error.

fall behind

Implies a loss of momentum or progress compared to a previous state or others.

lose your footing

Suggests a loss of stability or control in a process or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "miss a step" in a sentence?

You can use "miss a step" to indicate a failure to perform a necessary action in a sequence. For instance, "If you "miss a step" during the installation, the software won't work correctly."

What's a good alternative to "miss a step"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "make an error", "overlook a detail", or "fail to account for" as alternatives to "miss a step".

Is it better to say "miss a step" or "skip a step"?

Both "miss a step" and "skip a step" are acceptable, but "miss a step" often implies a negative consequence due to the omission, while "skip a step" simply means to omit it, without necessarily implying a problem.

Can "miss a step" be used in a metaphorical sense?

Yes, "miss a step" is often used metaphorically to describe failures or oversights in processes or plans, not just literal steps. For example, "The company "missed a step" in their marketing strategy, leading to poor sales."