miscue
1 Americannoun
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Sports. a failure to execute a play, stroke, or maneuver properly; an error.
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Informal. a mistake.
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Informal. to make a mistake.
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Theater. to fail to answer one's cue or to answer another's cue.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb (used without object)
noun
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billiards a faulty stroke in which the cue tip slips off the cue ball or misses it altogether
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informal a blunder or mistake
verb
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(intr) billiards to make a miscue
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(intr) theatre to fail to answer one's own cue or answer the cue of another
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radio to start (a record or tape) at the wrong point
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informal (intr) to blunder
Etymology
Origin of miscue1
First recorded in 1880–85; mis- 1 + cue 1
Origin of miscue2
Vocabulary lists containing miscue
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Stokes enticed O'Rourke to miscue and then came a moment of controversy.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
But after England captain Ben Stokes induced a miscue from Conway, the end came quickly.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
A successful meeting, and international diplomacy, can hinge on the slightest missed protocol, an unexpected miscue or even a bit of saliva left on a fork.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026
Alick Athanaze, who made 21, was the only wicket to fall when he attempted to loft a James Neesham delivery over mid-on only to miscue and be caught by Daryl Mitchell running back.
From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2025
At the same time, the exertion required to maintain a high rate makes the physical pain all the more devastating and therefore the likelihood of a miscue greater.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Shimron Hetmyer was dropped at mid-on by Corbin Bosch off the next delivery, but lasted only two more when he miscued to midwicket where Maharaj snapped up the catch.
From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026
Looking for his first boundary from his fourth ball, he miscued a length ball in the off-stump channel to mid-off.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026
Smith had 60 when he miscued Mitchell Starc.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025
Instead, Tryon was run out with 35 required and there were more uncomfortable moments to come as De Klerk twice miscued in the penultimate over with match in the balance.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2025
"How much of what you've just been saying to him is right, and how much is just bluff to cover a place where you miscued?" asked he.
From Ashton-Kirk, Criminologist by McIntyre, John T.
Stokes slogged 27 before miscuing Neil Wagner to mid-off, a sweeping Broad was lbw to Bracewell's off-spin for 14 and Ollie Robinson was caught at cover for 18 to give Henry his fourth wicket.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2023
A marginal lbw review that saw the end of Kane Williamson, Stokes himself bowling bouncers to trap Devon Conway, keeping the field up to entice Michael Bracewell into miscuing Jack Leach.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2023
Declan Rice, possibly West Ham’s best player this season, was at fault for the equalizer after miscuing his attempted headed clearance from a cross into the center of the area.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 19, 2022
Vilas c Moeen b Broad 26, South Africa 225-7 Vilas goes, holing out to Moeen on the backward square leg boundary after miscuing a shorter ball.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 14, 2016
Vilas goes, holing out to Moeen on the backward square leg boundary after miscuing a shorter ball.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 14, 2016
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
