misstep
noun
Misstep — a wrong move that briefly threatens, but does not derail, progress
Definition
An unintentional but embarrassing blunder; "he recited the whole poem without a single trip"; "he arranged his robes to avoid a trip-up later"; "confusion caused his unfortunate misstep"
In depth
A misstep is an unintentional but embarrassing blunder, the word emphasizing a single wrong move within an otherwise correct sequence or path. It carries a slightly more formal tone than 'stumble' or 'trip,' often used in writing about career, strategy, or carefully measured progress where even a single wrong move carries genuine, if usually recoverable, significance.
Origin
The word combines the negating prefix 'mis-' with 'step,' from Old English steppan, to walk or tread. That image of a single wrong footfall within an otherwise correct path captures the word's essential logic, a misstep conceived not as total failure but as one specific, identifiable error within a broader, largely successful journey.
Usage examples
"He recited the whole poem without a single misstep, his preparation evident in every line."
"Her early career misstep, though painful at the time, ultimately taught her lessons no success could have offered."
"The company's strategic misstep cost market share that took years of careful effort to fully recover."
How to use it
Misstep suits formal and reflective writing about career, strategy, and carefully considered decisions especially well, carrying slightly more gravity and deliberateness than the more casual 'trip' or 'stumble.'
Related concepts
Looking for a word but don't know its name?
Try the Word Finder →