Himalayan blunder
1 of 1noun/ˌhɪməˈleɪən ˈblʌndər/
Forms:Himalayan blunders
1
a major mistake or error, often made by someone in power, that leads to catastrophic consequences
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.
- 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.
- The team's lack of preparation for the important game was a Himalayan blunder that cost them the championship.