take a misstep

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a misstep" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "do something wrong or make a mistake". Example: She took a misstep in her presentation and lost the audience's attention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"There's no room for them to take a misstep".

The New York Times

Or did the 61-year-old simply take a misstep and tumble into a ravine?

Forbes

Also, the higher your credit score, the greater the damage when you take a misstep.

Forbes

The eccentric, noble failures mark Mike Nichols as a creative force who wasn't afraid to take a misstep in the service of trying something challenging, something unique, or something just plain weird.

Vice

Horses can easily take a misstep and you can end up on the ground.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When Petit takes his first step, Zemeckis takes a misstep.

The New Yorker

He had worked on it a little too long, taken a misstep, killed it.

The New Yorker

The rueful, contemplative second movement is haunting until it takes a misstep into bombast.

The New York Times - Arts

Then Jerry took a misstep between the tracks, and yelped, coming down hard on an ankle.

The New Yorker

That very week I took a misstep off a sidewalk curb and reinjured an already tenuous knee.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Beckett, Boston's ace, took a misstep late in the evening and veered into the Red Sox' vortex of despair.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a misstep" to describe a specific, often consequential, mistake or error in judgment. It is suitable when the error has noticeable repercussions.

Common error

Avoid using "take a misstep" for trivial errors or insignificant mistakes. Reserve it for situations where the mistake has a clear impact or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a misstep" functions as an idiomatic expression, denoting the commission of an error or mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, providing examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a misstep" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes making an error or mistake, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely frequent, it's commonly used in news and media, conveying that someone or something has made a critical mistake with potential consequences. When writing, reserve it for describing consequential mistakes rather than trivial ones. Consider alternatives like ""make an error"" or ""slip up"" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slip up

Suggests a small, often unintentional mistake.

make an error

Focuses on the act of making a mistake, similar to taking a misstep.

drop the ball

Idiomatic expression for failing to fulfill a responsibility.

commit a blunder

Implies a significant or careless mistake.

screw up

An informal way to describe making a mess of something.

stumble

Highlights a literal or figurative stumble.

fall short

Indicates failure to meet expectations or a standard.

err

A formal way of saying to make a mistake.

miscalculate

Highlights an error in judgment or planning.

make a faux pas

Refers to a social blunder or error in etiquette.

FAQs

How can I use "take a misstep" in a sentence?

You can use "take a misstep" to describe a mistake or error, such as: "The company can't afford to "take a misstep" in its marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "take a misstep"?

Alternatives include "make an error", "commit a blunder", or "slip up", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take a misstep" or "make a misstep"?

"Take a misstep" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. While "make a mistake" is a general term, ""take a misstep"" suggests a more specific and consequential error.

What does it mean to say someone "took a misstep"?

Saying someone "took a misstep" means they made a mistake, often one that has consequences or implications for the future.