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misstep

misstep

44 5.3
A small wrong action that causes embarrassment or harm to people's trust
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪsˌstɛp/
translation icon : desliz
  • Her comment about the dress code was a serious misstep at the formal event.
  • make a misstep
  • steps and missteps

You turn around, come back, and the consequence of that misstep is small.

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Examples

  • The politician apologized for his recent misstep during the campaign rally.

  • He learned from his misstep in judgment and promised to be more careful next time.

  • Other than that, it's hard to think of a misstep he made all night.

    Blog text (7)
  • Now that was a real misstep.

  • You turn around, come back, and the consequence of that misstep is small.

  • Any misstep along the way could prove fatal.

  • And the misstep we made is acknowledging it.

  • What were some of the more, say, costly decisions or missteps that you guys had early on?

  • Her fellow performers, however, caught the brief misstep, and they were as stunned as she was.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The novice needs to experience a few missteps, incidents that become critical points of learning.

    Academic text (2014)

Synonyms

mix-up
vsmisstep
53 3.3

A mistake that happens when someone confuses one thing with another

is an unintended mistake that need not involve confusing items
gaffe
vsmisstep
51 7.7

A remark or action made by accident that is embarrassing

is an unintended error that can be nonverbal or occur outside social settings
blunder
vsmisstep
49 3.0

A careless mistake that causes embarrassment or problems

is an unintended mistake that may be less careless or less harmful
screw-up
vsmisstep
  • Informal
33 6.1

A careless mistake that causes problems or embarrassment

is an unintended mistake that can be smaller or less disruptive
oversight
vsmisstep
30 4.7

A small mistake that someone does not notice

is an unintended error that may be an action rather than an omission
screwup
vsmisstep
  • Informal
20 6.5

A problem that happens because of a big mistake and spoils plans

is an unintended mistake that can be a single small error rather than systemic
blooper
vsmisstep
14 6.1

An embarrassing mistake that happens in public or during a show

is an unintended error that can be private or not publicly visible
slip-up
vsmisstep
13 3.7

A small careless mistake you make by accident

is an unintended error that often causes embarrassment rather than only being small
faux pas
vsmisstep
13 8.8

An embarrassing act or remark that upsets people in social situations

is an unintended error that is not limited to social or polite contexts
stumble
vsmisstep
9 3.4

A small mistake that is often embarrassing

is an unintended error that may cause more lasting embarrassment or consequence
flub
vsmisstep
  • Informal
6 7.7

An embarrassing mistake made when someone is careless or nervous

is an unintended error not always implying clear carelessness
fuckup
vsmisstep
  • Offensive
5 9.9

A serious or embarrassing mistake that causes problems

is an unintended embarrassing mistake that may be less severe or less systemic
foul-up
vsmisstep
  • Informal
5 7.7

A serious, embarrassing mistake often caused by confusion or poor planning

is an unintended error that can be simpler or less confused in cause
miscue
vsmisstep
4 7.7

A small unintentional mistake when speaking, writing, or performing an action

is an unintended error that can be larger or more embarrassing than a minor slip
dumb mistake
vsmisstep
  • Informal
4 2.8

A careless, foolish error that causes problems

is an unintended error that can be simple carelessness rather than stupidity
botch
vsmisstep
3 7.6

An embarrassing mistake that happens because of bad or careless work

is an unintended mistake that does not necessarily come from poor workmanship
howler
vsmisstep
  • Informal
1 7.2

An obvious embarrassing mistake that makes people laugh

is an unintended embarrassing error that may be less extreme or funny
clanger
vsmisstep
  • UK
1 8.5

A big embarrassing mistake that other people notice

is an unintended error that can be less obvious or private
pratfall
vsmisstep
1 8.7

An embarrassing mistake someone makes in public

is an unintended error that can be private or less humiliating
muff moment
vsmisstep
  • Informal
9.9

A short embarrassing mistake you make

covers unintended errors generally rather than only single clumsy moments
cockbrained mistake
vsmisstep
  • Archaic
9.9

A foolish mistake made without thinking that causes trouble

is an unintended mistake that may not imply bad judgment
trip-up
vsmisstep
6.5

A small mistake that causes embarrassment or trouble

is an unintended error that may be minor or only slightly embarrassing

How Serious

disaster
1.0
blunder
49 3.0
misstep
44 5.3
slip-up
13 3.7

Surface Forms

misstep singular
missteps plural

Morphology

misstep = step (transparent) = mis + step

The prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrong' or 'badly' combines with the noun 'step' to yield a clear meaning 'wrong step' or mistake.

Etymology

Misstep comes from the prefix mis- meaning 'wrong' and the simple word step, like a movement of the foot. Imagine taking a wrong step that makes you stumble or look bad. So a misstep today is a small mistake that is not done on purpose and can make you feel embarrassed.