oversight
unintentional mistake or omission
A mistake that happens because you forget something or do not see it.
an oversight in [something]
- Leaving her email address off the invitation list was an embarrassing oversight.
- The missing signature on the contract was a simple oversight, not an attempt to avoid responsibility.
- Due to an oversight in the report, last quarter's sales figures were not included.
- He apologized for the oversight and quickly corrected the spelling errors on the website.
- The company discovered a major oversight in its safety procedures after the accident.
- I did not call you back yesterday; it was an oversight.
- There is an oversight in this form because your name is not on it.
- The teacher said my missing homework was an oversight, not laziness.
- We found an oversight in the plan and fixed it before the meeting.
- Please check the bill for any oversights before you pay.
supervision or monitoring of something
Supervision or control of people or work, to make sure things are done in the right way.
oversight of [something]
- The new law increases government oversight of the financial sector.
- An independent board provides oversight of the charity's spending.
- The project failed partly because there was no clear oversight of the contractors.
- The committee was created to strengthen oversight of police conduct.
- Shareholders demanded better oversight of executive pay and company strategy.
- The school board has oversight of all the schools in the city.
- We need stronger oversight of how public money is used.
- An independent group will provide oversight of the project.
- Good oversight can stop small problems from becoming big problems.
- There was little oversight of the company, so many rules were broken.
- Base: oversight
- Plural: oversight, oversights
independent oversight
1supervision by an outside party
Supervision done by a person or group that is not part of the organization being watched.
- The charity invited independent oversight to increase public trust.
- Independent oversight is needed to avoid conflicts of interest.
- The contract requires independent oversight of all safety tests.
judicial oversight
1court supervision of actions
When courts watch and check the actions or decisions of the government or other bodies.
- The new surveillance program will operate under strict judicial oversight.
- Judicial oversight helps protect citizens' rights.
- Some politicians argued that the plan lacked adequate judicial oversight.
lack of oversight
1not enough supervision or control
When there is little or no supervision or checking of people or activities.
- The report blamed the accident on a lack of oversight at the factory.
- A lack of oversight allowed the fraud to continue for years.
- Parents were worried about the lack of oversight in the online chat rooms.
oversight committee
1committee that supervises activities
A group of people chosen to watch, check, and review the work of an organization or project.
- An oversight committee was formed to review the police department's actions.
- The university's oversight committee meets twice a year to examine finances.
- Concerns were sent to the oversight committee for further investigation.
regulatory oversight
1supervision by government regulators
Supervision and checking done by a government office or official body to make sure rules are followed.
- Critics say there is not enough regulatory oversight of social media companies.
- Stronger regulatory oversight helped protect consumers from unsafe products.
- The industry grew quickly, outpacing existing regulatory oversight.
under the oversight of
1being supervised by someone
Controlled or checked by a person or group that is responsible for watching the work.
- All spending decisions are made under the oversight of the finance committee.
- The project will run under the oversight of an independent auditor.
- These laboratories operate under the oversight of the national health agency.
congressional oversight
8Congress’s role in monitoring government
When Congress watches and checks what the government and its agencies do, to make sure they follow the law.
- The hearings are part of normal congressional oversight of the executive branch.
- The committee’s investigation is part of normal congressional oversight of federal agencies.
- Stronger congressional oversight was called for after the scandal.
- Experts argue that strong congressional oversight is essential in a democracy.
- The agency resisted congressional oversight of its spending decisions.
- Budget hearings are one of the main tools of congressional oversight.