misstep (plural missteps)

1. A step that is wrong, a false step.

   On a high ledge, a misstep could be fatal.

   • 1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 8, in Riders of the Purple Sage: A Novel, New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, OCLC 6868219 ↗:

     […] burdened as he was, he did not think of length or height or toil. He remembered only to avoid a misstep and to keep his direction.

2. (figurative) An error or mistake.

   His comment was a misstep that could cost him dearly.

• (error) error, faux pas, mistake

• French: faux pas
• German: Fehltritt
• Portuguese: passo em falso
• Russian: оступи́ться
• Spanish: paso en falso

• French: faux pas, bourde
• German: Fehltritt
• Russian: ло́жный шаг
• Spanish: paso en falso, desliz, tropiezo, marfilada

misstep (missteps, present participle misstepping; past and past participle misstepped)

1. (intransitive) To step badly or incorrectly.

   My dance partner misstepped and landed on my toe.

2. (intransitive) To make an error or mistake.

   I don't want to misstep by offending them.

• French: faire un faux pas, trébucher, (colloquial) s'emmêler les pinceaux
• Portuguese: pisar em falso

• French: faire un faux pas, faire une bourde, gaffer