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mistake

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noun [countable] British English pronunciation: mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ 
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singularmistake
pluralmistakes
 
  1. 1
    something that you have not done correctly, or something you say or think that is not correct
    make a mistake:

    I won't make the same mistake again!

    Don't worry: it's an easy mistake to make.

    correct a mistake:

    It's much easier to correct mistakes at an early stage.

    admit a mistake:

    I wish you'd admitted your mistake earlier.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of mistake
    1. a.
      something that you say or write in a way that is not correct

      spelling/grammar mistakes

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of mistake
  2. 2
    something you do that you later wish you had not done, because it causes a lot of problems
    a big/terrible/serious mistake:

    You're making a big mistake.

    a costly/expensive mistake:

    The wrong choice of computer could prove a costly mistake.

    the biggest mistake of something:

    Marrying him had been the biggest mistake of her life.

    it would be a mistake to do something:

    It would be a mistake to think that the trouble is over.

    make the mistake of doing something:

    I made the mistake of inviting Jennifer to the party.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of mistake

phrases

This is the British English definition of mistake. View American English definition of mistake.

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