false step

noun

1. a stumble.
2. an unwise or blundering act.

false step

noun

1. an unwise action
2. a stumble; slip

Idioms and Phrases

A stumble or blunder, as in Making a down payment without securing a mortgage was clearly a false step . This term transfers physical stumbling or tripping to other enterprises. [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

Especially at a time like this when the cultural reflex is to vilify every false step.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, in many ways the themes raised were sand traps waiting for a false step.

From The Daily Beast

He was black and he has always known that one false step and he was down and out.

From The Daily Beast

I repented directly the false step was taken, but, like a true Briton, I was too proud to go back.

From Project Gutenberg

Their genius travels over as many lines as there are lineaments in the figure, and the least false step would deform it.

From Project Gutenberg

Every time I made a false step, I had to devise some new “miracle” by way of counterblast.

From Project Gutenberg

And both he and Godfrey knew that one false step meant a death almost too horrible for words.

From Project Gutenberg

One false step, one blunder, would be fatal, and we have known the other members of the party to make these blunders.

From Project Gutenberg