lapse
noun
Lapse — a brief, often forgivable failure to maintain a sustained standard
Definition
A failure to maintain a higher state
In depth
A lapse is a failure to maintain a higher state, typically describing a single, often brief instance of falling short rather than a sustained or complete reversal. The word carries a gentler, more forgivable connotation than 'backsliding' or 'relapse,' often implying a momentary lapse rather than a deep or permanent return to former patterns.
Origin
The word descends from Latin lapsus, a slip or fall, from labi, to slide or glide. That image of gentle sliding, rather than dramatic collapse, distinguishes a lapse from more severe failures, suggesting an almost involuntary, momentary slip rather than a deliberate or sustained departure from a maintained standard.
Usage examples
"Her single lapse in judgment, though regrettable, hardly defined an otherwise impeccable career."
"The policy lapsed after a brief administrative oversight, though it was quickly reinstated."
"He attributed the lapse to simple exhaustion rather than any genuine loss of commitment."
How to use it
Lapse suits writing about momentary, often forgivable failures, useful wherever a writer wants to acknowledge a shortfall without implying complete or permanent reversal of progress. It also carries a distinct legal and administrative sense, describing the expiration of a policy, right, or agreement.
Related concepts
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