rhizoverbBeta
DictionarylapseTemporary failure
noun / verb

lapse

LAPS/læps/

A slipping away from a required condition or standard.

The man's lapse in attention lets the tea overflow as he watches his phone.

Distracted man looks at phone while tea overflows cup under still-tilted teapot, brief attention failure clearly visible; no injury, small tabletop only.
Etymology
lapseLatinto slip, glide, fall

Latin labi describes slipping or falling, and its noun lapsus already included “falling into error.” A lapse in judgment or attention is thus a figurative slip rather than a physical loss of footing.

In context

YaleCourses29:00
She quickly recovers from this brief lapse, a momentary lapse, into sensual reverie.
4. Poetry and Virginity

More examples

  • Sharing the password was a serious lapse in judgment.
  • Your coverage may lapse if you miss a payment.
  • When work gets stressful, she lapses into bad habits.

Forms

lapse · lapses · lapsed · lapsing

Similar words

slip
A small mistake, often caused by momentary inattention.
oversight
A failure to notice or do something that needs attention.
expire
To become invalid when a set period ends.