cardinal sin
The phrase "cardinal sin" originates from Christian theology, where it refers to grave sins, and is also used informally to denote major errors in various fields.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Christian Theology
(formal, religious)One of the seven grave offenses believed to be the root of other sins.
Example
- Pride is often considered the most severe cardinal sin.
B2General Usage
(informal, idiomatic)A significant mistake or wrongdoing, often seen as unforgivable.
Example
- In journalism, plagiarism is considered a cardinal sin.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "cardinal sin":
cardinal symptomphilosophical sinoriginal sincardinal bishopcardinal number