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# mistakes were made

phrase (fixed sentence, passive)

«mistakes were made» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, official) we did something wrong, but we won't say who.

### In the lessons

Used by politicians, leaders and companies to admit error without blame; famous as an example of the passive hiding responsibility. Register: official, spin; all regions.

### Examples

- The company admitted that mistakes were made.
- News: «Mistakes were made,» said the minister, but no one resigned.
- Chat: «mistakes were made» = it was me but whatever
- Teacher: Who made the mistakes? The sentence doesn't say.
- Dad looked at the burnt toast: «Mistakes were made.»

### Note

The passive voice hides who acted. Used jokingly in families too. Plain words: we did wrong.