indiscretion
gb/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/ us/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
C1
English
indiszkréció, meggondolatlanság, félrelépés
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
an indiscretion; an indiscretion about [something]; an indiscretion with [someone]
His indiscretion at the meeting—mentioning the merger talks—quickly reached the press.
Az értekezleten elkövetett indiszkréciója — hogy megemlítette az összeolvadási tárgyalásokat — hamar eljutott a sajtóhoz.
She apologized for the indiscretion and asked everyone to keep it confidential.
Bocsánatot kért az indiszkrécióért, és megkért mindenkit, hogy kezeljék bizalmasan az ügyet.
A single indiscretion on social media can damage your reputation.
Learner examples
It was an indiscretion to share her secret.
Meggondolatlanság volt elárulni a titkát.
Please be careful and avoid indiscretions at work.
Kérlek, légy óvatos, és kerüld a munkahelyi indiszkréciókat.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse it with "indifference"; indiscretion is about poor judgment or lack of tact.
Meaning
careless act or remark
Collocations
a serious indiscretion
|a minor indiscretion
|a regrettable indiscretion
|a public indiscretion
|a political indiscretion
|an indiscretion in public
|an indiscretion that cost [someone] [something]
|commit an indiscretion
|make an indiscretion
|forgive an indiscretion
Synonyms
gaffe (Often a social or public mistake, especially in speech.)
|
blunder (A more general serious mistake, not always about tact or privacy.)
|
slip (Often a small, accidental mistake; less formal.)
Antonyms
discretion (Careful judgment about what to do or say.)
|
tact (Skill in speaking or acting without offending.)
Themes
communication
|social_life
|mistakes
Definition
A careless thing you do or say that causes problems.
A careless action or statement that shows poor judgment, especially one that causes embarrassment, offense, or trouble (for example by revealing private information).
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
félrelépés
B2
Usage pattern:
a sexual indiscretion; an indiscretion with [someone]
The tabloid reported a possible indiscretion between the actor and a co-star.
A bulvárlap arról számolt be, hogy a színész talán félrelépett egy színésztársával.
He tried to reassure his partner that the indiscretion was a one-time mistake.
Megpróbálta megnyugtatni a partnerét, hogy a félrelépés egyszeri hiba volt.
The senator’s career suffered after allegations of indiscretion.
Learner examples
The newspaper wrote about his indiscretion.
Az újság az ő félrelépéséről írt.
She left him after his indiscretion.
A nő elhagyta a férfit a félrelépése után.
Common mistake:
This meaning is often indirect and euphemistic; it usually implies an affair rather than a minor mistake.
Meaning
sexual or moral lapse
Collocations
a sexual indiscretion
|a marital indiscretion
|an indiscretion with a colleague
|deny an indiscretion
|admit an indiscretion
|rumors of indiscretion
|a past indiscretion
|forgive an indiscretion
Synonyms
affair (More direct; clearly means a relationship, often secret.)
|
infidelity (Focuses on unfaithfulness as a concept rather than one incident.)
|
fling (Usually short and casual; not always presented as morally wrong.)
Antonyms
fidelity (Faithfulness in a committed relationship.)
|
faithfulness (General commitment and loyalty to a partner.)
Themes
relationships
|ethics
Definition
A sexual or romantic act that people judge as wrong, especially cheating.
An act considered morally improper, especially a secret romantic or sexual involvement outside a committed relationship.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
indiszkréció
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s indiscretion; indiscretion in [something]
His indiscretion made him a risky person to include in sensitive discussions.
Az indiszkréciója miatt kockázatos volt őt bevonni kényes megbeszélésekbe.
The company dismissed her for repeated indiscretion with client data.
A cég az ügyféladatokkal kapcsolatos ismételt indiszkréciók miatt bocsátotta el.
They valued her discretion and avoided colleagues with a history of indiscretion.
Learner examples
His indiscretion causes problems at work.
Az indiszkréciója problémákat okoz a munkahelyén.
Discretion is important; indiscretion can hurt people.
Fontos a diszkréció; az indiszkréció árthat az embereknek.
Common mistake:
Often uncountable in this sense; learners may overuse the plural when describing the general trait.
Meaning
lack of discretion
Collocations
a reputation for indiscretion
|habitual indiscretion
|chronic indiscretion
|indiscretion in speech
|indiscretion with confidential information
|criticize [someone]'s indiscretion
|be known for indiscretion
|punish indiscretion
Synonyms
indiscreetness (A close synonym that names the quality directly.)
|
thoughtlessness (Broader; not specifically about privacy or tact.)
Antonyms
discretion (The ability to keep information private and act tactfully.)
|
prudence (Careful, sensible judgment in general.)
Themes
personality
|communication
Definition
Not being careful about what you say or do.
A tendency to speak or act without enough care, especially about private or sensitive matters.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indiscretion
IPA
GB/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
US/ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - dis - cre - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (cre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: indiscretion
- Plural: indiscretion, indiscretions
Word family
Forms
indiscretions
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
indiscreet
adjective
indiscreetly
adverb
Advanced or less common
discretionary
adjective C1
Expressions
a moment of indiscretion
1/ə mˈoʊmənt əv ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
one brief careless act
A short time when you make a bad choice.
Examples
- In a moment of indiscretion, he forwarded the email to the wrong person.
- She said it was just a moment of indiscretion, but the comment hurt her friend.
- One moment of indiscretion can undo years of trust.
Learner examples
- It was a moment of indiscretion.
- In a moment of indiscretion, I posted it online.
the indiscretions of youth
1/ðə ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃənz əv jˈuθ/
fixed phrase
formal
mistakes made when young
Mistakes people often make when they are young.
Examples
- He spoke with surprising honesty about the indiscretions of youth.
- The memoir recounts the indiscretions of youth without self-pity.
- She hoped time would erase the indiscretions of youth.
Learner examples
- People forgive the indiscretions of youth.
youthful indiscretion
1/jˈuθfəl ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
Mistake made during youth
A small bad choice made when someone was young.
Examples
- He dismissed it as a youthful indiscretion from his college days.
- Her arrest was due to a youthful indiscretion she now regrets.
youthful indiscretion
1/jˈuθfəl ˌɪndɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
minor mistake when young
A silly mistake you made when you were young.
Examples
- He described the arrest as a youthful indiscretion and moved on with his life.
- The company decided not to penalize her for a youthful indiscretion on social media.
- Most people have at least one youthful indiscretion they’d rather forget.
Learner examples
- It was a youthful indiscretion.
- He called it a youthful indiscretion.