noun
misstep
MIHS-stehp
noun
1
A mistake or poor decision, especially one that damages someone's reputation or plans.
"The company's pricing change was a costly misstep."
"One misstep in the negotiation nearly cost them the deal."
2
A wrong or clumsy physical step.
"He recovered quickly after a misstep on the icy path."
How to Use Misstep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wrong move — either a literal stumble or a mistake in judgment.
Common pairings
a costly misstep
avoid a misstep
Word Forms
misstepped past tense, missteps plural, missteps singular
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The company's pricing change was a costly _____.
Etymology
From mis- ("wrongly") plus step.