Misstep

A misstep is an action or decision that is considered unwise, inappropriate, or incorrect, often leading to negative consequences or damage to one's reputation or progress. It can manifest in various forms, from a physical stumble to a poor judgment in a professional or personal context. The severity of a misstep can range from a minor inconvenience to a major setback, depending on the circumstances and the impact of the error. It highlights the fallibility of individuals and organizations and underscores the importance of careful consideration and strategic planning.

Misstep meaning with examples

• During the dance, a clumsy misstep caused Sarah to stumble, momentarily disrupting the performance. However, she quickly recovered, and the audience barely noticed. The misstep was embarrassing but didn't derail her from finishing the dance. She smiled and carried on.
• The politician's controversial statement was considered a serious misstep, alienating a significant portion of the electorate. The public backlash forced him to issue a public apology and attempt to rectify the damage done to his campaign, but there may be a misstep he could not come back from.
• In his rush to complete the project, the engineer made a critical misstep in the design, leading to a costly rework and delay. The misstep highlighted the need for more rigorous quality control procedures, and careful review. There was a costly misstep made in the end.
• The company's marketing campaign was a complete misstep; the insensitive messaging was widely criticized, and sales plummeted. The executives had to cut their losses, retract the campaign and re-evaluate the public opinion to remedy the misstep.
• Overlooking the subtle clues led the detective to a fatal misstep, and they followed the wrong suspect. It set back the entire investigation, causing more problems than before. In the end the case was able to close due to a misstep.