mistakes were made
Blame-dodging admission phrase
Mistakes were made is a formula for acknowledging error while avoiding responsibility.
The passive construction omits who made the mistakes, allowing speakers—typically politicians or executives—to appear contrite without admitting personal fault: The president conceded that mistakes were made but stopped short of apologizing.
The phrase has become so associated with evasive non-apologies that using it now often signals ironic self-awareness.
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- blundersSerious mistakes from carelessness
- dropped the ballFailed at crucial moment
- faultImperfection or blame
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
accountability · regret · apology · non-apology apology · cover-up · scandal · oops · slip-up · bungled · botched · fiasco · own goal · damage control · spin · deflection · passive voice · evasion · responsibility
- non-apologiesnon-apology, fauxpology, sorry not sorry, sorry but, crocodile tears
mistakes were madeI was wrong
Acknowledging prior error
mea culpa · the buck stops here · I apologize · I failed · I screwed up
mistakes were madesincere apology
Genuine expression of regret
heartfelt apology · please forgive me · making amends · atonement · contrition
mistake, mistakes, mistaken, mistaking, mistook, were, made, make, makes