admit making a mistake
/ədˈmɪt ˈmeɪkɪŋ ə mɪˈsteɪk/
Meaning
This phrase means to confess, acknowledge, or accept responsibility for doing something wrong or making an error. It is used in both personal and professional contexts when someone takes ownership of a failure or poor decision.
Examples
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It takes a lot of maturity to admit making a mistake in front of your team.
It takes a lot of maturity to admit making a mistake in front of your team.
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He finally admitted making a mistake after looking at the incorrect data.
He finally admitted making a mistake after looking at the incorrect data.
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She has a hard time admitting making a mistake, even when she knows she's wrong.
She has a hard time admitting making a mistake, even when she knows she's wrong.
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Instead of blaming others, we should just admit making a mistake and move on.
Instead of blaming others, we should just admit making a mistake and move on.
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The company admitted making a mistake in their billing system and offered refunds.
The company admitted making a mistake in their billing system and offered refunds.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He admitted to make a mistake.
✓ He admitted making a mistake.
The verb 'admit' is followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive (to + verb).
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✗ She admitted she did a mistake.
✓ She admitted making a mistake.
In English, we 'make' mistakes, we do not 'do' mistakes.
Related Expressions
Practice
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It's always better to ___ early before the problem gets worse.
💡 Accept responsibility for your error.
Show answer
admit making a mistake
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Why is it so hard for him to ___?
💡 Use the gerund form of 'make' after 'admit'.
Show answer
admit making a mistake