Step 1: Admit the mistake.
It sounds easy, but this is something many people are uncomfortable with.
It takes a really mature person to own up or admit that they made a mistake. Hiding it or trying to cover it up frequently leads to trouble and as we say in English, it can come back to bite you! For the sake of your professional and social reputation, it’s much better to be honest and admit you’ve made a mistake.
Mistakes are so common that we have many words for them, and will be useful in admitting it. We often use the present perfect when it happened recently or the effects of the mistake are still being felt.
You can say:
- I’ve made a mistake. (a good one to use at work)
- I’ve messed up.
- I’ve slipped up.
- I’ve fudged that up.
- I’ve mucked that up.
- I’ve bungled that up.
- I’ve made a blunder.
We also say things such as:
- That was an oversight. (This is a good one for work.)
- That was an epic fail! (For a huge mistake)
- Well, that was a disaster!
- That was totally on me. (A good one for work)
- My bad!
- That was my fault. (A good one for work)
Of course, we sometimes get emotional about making mistakes. So it is natural to say things to express those feelings.
You can include these together with admitting your mistake:
- Oh my goodness! I’ve made a mistake. (Some people say ‘oh my god’, or ‘OMG’ but please remember there are people who get offended by this language, so choose wisely based on your company.)
- I can’t believe I did that! That was an epic fail!
- I can’t believe it! That’s my fault. (A good one for work)
- That was silly! That was an oversight on my behalf. (A good one for work)
- I’m so embarrassed! I’ve slipped up.
- I’m so annoyed at myself! I definitely didn’t nail that.
