miscalculation
/ˌmɪskælkjuˈleɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmɪskælkjuˈleɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌmis-ˌkal-kyə-ˈlā-shən/ (ame, mw)
miscalculation — noun
- miscalculationsingular
- miscalculationsplural
1. an error made when working out an amount, distance, time, or other figure, or th
an error made when working out an amount, distance, time, or other figure, or the action of getting such a number wrong.
Heloísa's miscalculation of the recipe meant she added twice as much sugar as needed.
miscalculation of + [noun phrase] for the wrongly figured quantity
A small miscalculation in the bridge design forced the engineers to redo six months of work.
a small / large miscalculation in + [context]
The accountant blamed a simple miscalculation for the missing two thousand dollars.
Takeshi corrected a miscalculation in his tax return before the deadline.
Due to a miscalculation, the bus arrived twenty minutes after the football match had started.
- accurate calculation
neutral opposite, descriptive phrase
文法句型
a miscalculation of [amount]
by miscalculation
用法筆記
Often takes 'of' + the quantity that was wrongly figured ('a miscalculation of the cost / distance / time'), and 'in' + the wider task ('a miscalculation in the budget'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about numbers and measurements; sense 2 is about judgment of a situation.
常見錯誤
2. a wrong reading of how a person, group, or situation will react — leading to a d
a wrong reading of how a person, group, or situation will react — leading to a decision that turns out badly.
The general's miscalculation of enemy strength led to a costly retreat.
miscalculation of + [target] — strategic misjudgment
Calling an early election was a serious miscalculation by the prime minister.
a serious miscalculation by + [agent] — political misjudgment
Yael made a miscalculation about her boss's mood and asked for a raise on the worst possible morning.
Hiring the cheapest contractor turned out to be a costly miscalculation for the hospital board.
Through a sad miscalculation, Nala thought her friends would forgive her without an apology.
- misjudgment
closest synonym; same meaning, slightly more common in everyday speech
- misreading
stresses interpreting signals wrongly, as in 'a misreading of public mood'
- error of judgment
formal phrase, common in journalistic and political writing
- shrewd judgment
positive opposite phrase
文法句型
a miscalculation of/about [situation]
make a miscalculation
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person or organization assessing other people's likely behaviour, public opinion, or risk. Distinguish from sense 1: 'I made a miscalculation' here means I read the situation wrong, not that I added numbers wrong. Frequently modified by 'serious / grave / costly / political'.