false step

A 'false step' can refer to both a physical misstep and a metaphorical error in judgment or action.

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Definition

B2General

(common)An error or mistake in judgment or action.

Example

He made a false step by investing in the risky venture.

B1Physical Movement

(common)A misstep or stumble while walking or moving.

Example

She took a false step and almost fell down the stairs.

B2Social

(common)A social or strategic blunder that leads to negative consequences.

Example

His comment about the host's cooking was a false step that made the evening awkward.

C1Sports

(technical)A step or movement in the opposite direction of where an athlete wants to go, sometimes used for repositioning.

Example

The player made a false step before accelerating towards the ball.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "false step":

false loan logical fallacy false negative false positive false dichotomy alternative fact false alarm false lily of the valley false cognate false bottom false pimpernel false hellebore false note false friend false fire wrong 'un false flagged fake news