regrettable lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

"regrettable lapse" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a mistake or oversight that is unfortunate or disappointing. Example: "The team's performance was affected by a regrettable lapse in communication." Alternative expressions include "unfortunate oversight" and "disappointing error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Yes, that was a regrettable lapse in security".

The Guardian

Jenkins's judicious narrative has one regrettable lapse: It gives short shrift to Bush v. Gore.

The New York Times - Books

It was a regrettable lapse by a respected and experienced broadcaster.

The Guardian

Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister, opined that Mr Orbán's statement was "a regrettable lapse that we clearly reject".

The Economist

The Guardian also did the same last Saturday, which was described by the readers' editor as "a regrettable lapse".

The Guardian

"But of course we must learn the lessons from what was a very regrettable lapse of security and that needs to be dealt with, and the lessons need to be learned".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The food itself was generally exemplary, although there were regrettable lapses there, too.

The New York Times

Are these judgments objective assessments, or regrettable lapses into tribalism, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, and prejudice?

Huffington Post

It was a regrettable oversight.

Forbes

Sexual indiscretions, regrettable financial missteps, or just severe lapses in judgement we all have at least one gnarly secret buried deep down in the depths of our souls, things we'd die of embarrassment if our loved ones found out.

Vice

"Collect toenail clippings in a jar". Sexual indiscretions, regrettable financial missteps, or just severe lapses in judgement we all have at least one gnarly secret buried deep down in the depths of our souls, things we'd die of embarrassment if our loved ones found out.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific nouns like "security", "judgment", or "concentration" to provide clear context for the failure.

Common error

Avoid using redundant modifiers such as "a regrettable lapse of error". A "lapse" is already an error or deviation. Stick to simpler constructions like "a regrettable lapse in judgment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regrettable lapse" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "regrettable" modifies the noun "lapse". In the context provided by Ludwig, it acts as a polite euphemism for a mistake, often serving as the direct object in sentences involving security, judgment, or social conduct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "regrettable lapse" is a highly effective phrase for professional communication. It provides a formal way to acknowledge a mistake—be it in security, judgment, or behavior—without sounding overly defensive or colloquial. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used in high-authority sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. While it is classified as "uncommon" based on raw frequency counts, its impact in formal writing is significant, as it suggests a temporary deviation from excellence rather than a fundamental flaw. Writers should use it to navigate delicate situations where accountability must be balanced with professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate oversight

Suggests the mistake was accidental or due to a lack of attention rather than a failure of judgment

disappointing error

Places more emphasis on the emotional reaction to the mistake

lamentable slip

Uses more literary language to describe a minor but regrettable mistake

unfortunate breach

Often used specifically in security or privacy contexts

momentary failing

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the mistake

error in judgment

Directly attributes the lapse to a decision-making failure

sad omission

Specifies that the error was something left out rather than a wrong action taken

deplorable mistake

A much stronger, more critical condemnation of the error

minor indiscretion

Often used for social or behavioral lapses rather than technical ones

brief relapse

Implies a return to a former bad habit or condition

FAQs

How do I use "regrettable lapse" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an unfortunate mistake, such as: "The company apologized for what it called a "regrettable lapse" in its quality control procedures."

What is the difference between a "regrettable lapse" and an "unfortunate oversight"?

A "regrettable lapse" often implies a failure of character, judgment, or established standards, whereas an "unfortunate oversight" suggests something was simply forgotten or missed accidentally.

Is "regrettable lapse" considered formal?

Yes, it is a formal and sophisticated phrase frequently found in professional journalism and corporate communications to address errors politely but clearly.

Can I use "disappointing failure" instead?

Yes, but "disappointing failure" is more direct and blunt. Using "regrettable lapse" is slightly more nuanced as it suggests the failure was a temporary departure from an otherwise good performance.