misstep

Everyday

1. A wrong step when walking, which can make you trip or fall. tree →
2. A mistake in what you do or decide. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and sport: one misstep on the ice and you fall. In stories and news: a leader's misstep is a bad decision. Phrases: one misstep, a costly misstep.

Examples

• One misstep on the icy path and he slipped. tree →
• Choosing that shortcut was a misstep. tree →
• The dancer made a small misstep but kept going. tree →
• The team's misstep cost them the game. tree →
• On a cliff path, a misstep can be dangerous. tree →
• We learned from our missteps and did better next time. tree →
• A pumpkin is an exceedingly awkward thing to carry, and the Irishman had not gone far before he made a misstep, and stumbled. tree →

Note

Spelling: double s (mis + step). Countable. Similar: slip, mistake, error, blunder.