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Himalayan blunder
/hˌɪməlˈeɪən blˈʌndɚ/
/hˌɪməlˈeɪən blˈʌndə/
Himalayan blunder
01
a major mistake or error, often made by someone in power, that leads to catastrophic consequences
Disapproving
IdiomWhat is the origin of the idiom "Himalayan blunder" and when to use it?
The idiom "Himalayan blunder" originated from a military and political incident in 1962, when the Indian Army suffered a humiliating defeat against the Chinese People's Liberation Army in a border conflict in the Himalayas. This phrase is used to describe a colossal mistake or a disastrous error in judgment, often with far-reaching consequences.
Examples
If the company goes ahead with the merger without doing proper due diligence, it will be a Himalayan blunder that could have disastrous consequences.
The company's investment in the failed project was a Himalayan blunder that caused significant financial losses.
