Want to admit a mistake at work without sounding unprofessional or unsure? In this Business English Masterclass, you’ll learn 20+ professional, fluent, and natural expressions to say “I made a mistake” — the right way. Whether you’re writing emails, joining meetings, or speaking to clients, this lesson gives you the exact phrases you need to sound confident, responsible, and respectful — even when things go wrong.
WHAT’S COVERED: Soft & Responsible Alternatives Perfect for polite emails, performance reviews, and leadership communication. Slightly Casual but Still Professional Ideal for colleague chats, quick updates, and team Slack messages. Fixing Mistakes: Language to Correct Errors Take control of the situation with confident, solution-focused phrases. Misunderstandings & Miscommunications Great for cross-cultural teams, scheduling mix-ups, or wrong assumptions. Phrases & Idioms That Work in Any Situation Versatile, native-sounding expressions that work in meetings, calls, or written updates.
Better Ways to Say I Made a Mistake in Business English
- Soft & Responsible alternatives:
(Good for most settings)
- “That one’s on me.”
- “I take full responsibility for that.”
- “That was an oversight on my part.”
- “I missed that—thanks for catching it.”
- “I realize I made an error there. I’ll fix it right away”
- “I let that one get right past me —won’t happen again.”
VOCABULARY
Oversight = mistake/error
On me = my fault
- Slightly Casual but Still Professional:
(More of a modern tone)
- “I dropped the ball on that one.” (missed a task/responsibility)
- “I messed that one up a bit—let me fix it.”
- “That didn’t go as planned—let me go ahead and fix that for you.”
- “That was a mix-up on my end.
VOCABULARY
Pan out = work out how you expected
On my end = my responsibility
- Fixing errors:
(You’re already aware of the mistake and are fixing it or have already fixed it)
- “I’ve already taken steps to correct it.”
- “I’ve fixed the issue and put in place a better process going forward.”
- “That’s now resolved—thanks for your patience.”
- “I appreciate the heads-up. I’ve updated it accordingly.”
- “It’s sorted now. Thanks again for flagging it.”
VOCABULARY
Heads up = warning
Sorted = dealt with/fixed
To flag = alert/mention
- Mistakes from Misunderstanding:
(When a mistake was unintentional or simply because of miscommunication)
- “Looks like I misunderstood the instructions.”
- “I misread the timing/details—totally my doing. I’ll fix it.”
- “I was under the impression that… but I see now that I was off.”
- “Apologies—I was working with outdated info.”
VOCABULARY
Misread = read something incorrectly
Under the impression = think
Off = incorrect
- Idioms & Phrases
(To talk about mistakes)
Drop the ball – fail to act on something
“I really dropped the ball on that deadline.”
A Slip-up – a mistake
“That was my slip-up on the report.”
Slip up – make a small mistake
“I slipped up on that part of the report.”
Own up to – admit something / take full responsibility
“Let me own up to that—it was my mistake.”
A Mix-up – a confusion/error
“Looks like there was a mix-up on my end.”
Mix up – confuse
“Looks like I mixed up the dates.”
I hope you found these tips useful and eye-opening.
If you’re serious about speaking Business English with clarity, confidence, and global professionalism, then my upcoming Business English Masterclasses are for you.
In these classes, I’ll cover everything you need to truly master Business English—from grammar and vocabulary to phrasal verbs, idioms, pronunciation, communication strategies, and real-world practice.
Whether you’re writing emails, leading meetings, or preparing for job interviews, you’ll gain the tools to succeed in any professional setting.
Stay tuned, sign up, and join me as we take your Business English to the next level—once and for all.
Happy learning!
Melissa B Duarte, Duarte Business English duartebusinessenglish.com
DUARTE BUSINESS ENGLISH 