lapse

A brief mistake or failure to remember or pay enough attention.

• I had a memory lapse.
• A lapse in concentration caused the accident.
• She regretted that brief lapse of judgment.

How to use it: lapse in something (One lapse in attention can be dangerous.); lapse of something (That decision was a lapse of judgment.)

Similar words: slip, error, oversight

Common phrases: memory lapse, lapse in concentration, lapse of judgment

To start doing something harmful again after trying to stop.

• He lapsed into his old habits.
• She had stopped smoking but lapsed last weekend.
• Stress made him lapse back into heavy drinking.

How to use it: lapse into something (He lapsed into gambling again.); lapse back into something (She lapsed back into her old routine.)

Similar words: relapse, backslide

Common phrases: lapse into something, lapse back into

To make a mistake because you stop being careful.

• Even careful workers sometimes lapse.
• He lapsed in his duty to check the figures.
• Her attention lapsed, and she missed the warning.

How to use it: lapse in something (She lapsed in her duty to report the damage.)

Similar words: slip, err

Common phrases: lapse in something, occasionally lapse