Meaning & use
momentary lapse
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Meaning
nouncountable
A short, temporary failure of attention, memory, or good judgment.
Grammar: Countable; often used with 'a' and followed by 'of' or 'in': a momentary lapse of concentration, a momentary lapse in judgment.
Patterns
- a momentary lapse of something
- a momentary lapse in something
- have a momentary lapse
He had a momentary lapse of concentration and missed the turn.
A momentary lapse in judgment led her to trust the wrong person.
I experienced a momentary lapse and forgot her name.
Word forms
| plural | momentary lapses |
|---|
Common combinations
- momentary lapse of concentration
- The driver's momentary lapse of concentration caused a minor accident.
- momentary lapse in judgment
- Sending that email was a momentary lapse in judgment.
- a momentary lapse
- It was just a momentary lapse; she quickly regained focus.
- have a momentary lapse
- Even experts can have a momentary lapse under pressure.
Synonyms and how they differ
- slip
- A slip is a minor mistake, often due to carelessness; a momentary lapse emphasizes the brief loss of attention or judgment rather than the mistake itself.
- lapse
- Lapse alone can mean any temporary failure or interval, but 'momentary lapse' specifically stresses the short duration.
- blip
- Blip is informal and refers to a temporary problem or deviation; a momentary lapse is more neutral and often used for mental slips.
Word family
- momentarily adverb
- For a very short time; briefly.
- lapse noun
- A temporary failure or interval.
Commonly confused: momentary lapse or momentary lapse of reason?
momentary lapse vs momentary lapse of reason
This phrase is a fixed expression meaning a brief period of irrational thinking, often used humorously. 'Momentary lapse' alone is more general.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'momentary lapse' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer is B because 'momentary lapse' is a noun phrase meaning a brief failure, and it fits with 'of concentration'. A uses 'lapse' as a verb meaning to pass, which is different. C is grammatically wrong because 'was lasted' is not correct. D uses 'lapse' as a verb but the sentence structure is incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “momentary lapse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.