by trial and error

Describing a method by which attempts are made to achieve some goal, and then adjustments are made based on any mistakes or failures, followed by further attempts and adjustments until the goal is achieved. Rather than doing things by trial and error, you should really read the manual before trying to fix your engine. I didn't have any instructions for reassembling the machine, so I just worked by trial and error until I got it right. You can't do this by trial and error—we need to make sure we get it right the first time!

comedy of errors

A situation or series of events characterized by a number of humorous or ridiculous mix-ups, mishaps, or blunders. Taken from one of Shakespeare's early comedies, The Comedy of Errors. Their business was a comedy of errors by the end, with orders constantly being confused, employees arriving at the wrong time, and the financial accounts being all over the place. The story is a delightful comedy of errors, in which every sort of mistake and confusion that can arise does—with everything working out just fine in the end, of course. Oh boy, our honeymoon was a comedy of errors, starting with three days of torrential rain and ending with a canceled flight and a night spent at the airport.

errors and omissions excepted

Used as a legal disclaimer for situations in which the information presented at a particular moment in time may be inaccurate or unreliable at another point in time. Primarily heard in UK. This website is for informative purposes only. It should not be used in lieu of proper legal advice. Errors and omissions excepted. For more information about our product, please visit our website. Note that certain details may change without notice. Errors and omissions excepted. Our lawyer says we have to add "errors and omissions excepted" to the site just to be safe.

fall into error

To begin to misbehave. When I went off to college, I fell into error—that's why I've moved back home now. He was always such a good kid that I'm shocked to hear that he's in jail. I wonder what made him fall into error. You boys better not fall into error just because I'm out of town! I don't want to hear about any foolishness.

fall into sin

To begin to misbehave. When I went off to college, I fell into sin—that's why I've moved back home now. He was always such a good kid that I'm shocked to hear that he's in jail. I wonder what made him fall into sin. You boys better not fall into sin just because I'm out of town! I don't want to hear about any foolishness.

in error

Mistakenly or by accident. My apologies, I sent you that document in error. So I just found out that the doctor's office called me in error—I'm so relieved! That email was only meant for you, but I hit "Reply All" in error! Ugh, how embarrassing.

rounding error

1. The difference between an exact mathematical value and the value that is approximated during a calculation or computation in which rounding occurs. So many of the values we have to use in these calculations have decimals that extend to an infinite length that rounding errors are simply unavoidable. It may seem like we leave a very large rounding error when we use 3.14159 as the value for pi, but in most instances it will give us a result that it accurate enough for our purposes.

2. A figure that is or seems large in isolation but is relatively small or immaterial to a large company. The settlement of $300,000 is little more than a rounding error to a global corporation that earns billions of dollars each year. I'm nervous about asking for a raise, but I'm trying to tell myself that it is just a rounding error in the company's eyes.

schoolboy error

A very simple, basic, or fundamental mistake or error. Primarily heard in UK. Thanks to a schoolboy error by their opponents' keeper, the football club will advance to the next round of the tourney. The math textbook had to be reprinted after several schoolboy errors were discovered in some of the equations.

see the error of (one's) ways

To realize that one has been wrong and/or has behaved poorly. I'm afraid it took me too long to see the error of my ways. But it's not too late for you. He'll never see the error of his ways if he keeps being rewarded for the bad decisions he's made.

the error of (one's) ways

What has been wrong, hurtful, or unfair about one's behavior or way of life. He'll never see the error of his ways if he keeps being rewarded for the bad decisions he's made. I'm afraid it took me too long to realize the error of my ways. But it's not too late for you.

trial and error

A process of determining the correct way in which to do something by making multiple attempts and learning from any possible failures or mistakes. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. I didn't have any instructions for reassembling the machine, so it was just a case of trial and error until I got it right. You take a trial-and-error approach to this issue—we need to make sure we get it right the first time!

See also: and, error, trial

rounding error

a large amount of money that is relatively small in comparison to a much larger sum. To a large company like Smith & Co., a few thousand dollars is just a rounding error. It's not a lot at all.

trial and error

trying repeatedly for success. I finally found the right key after lots of trial and error. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to get something done.

See also: and, error, trial

comedy of errors

A complex or humorous series of events, as in Mary and John went to the Smiths', while the Smiths went to the Parkers', and the Parkers wondered why no one answered the door at John and Mary's-a true comedy of errors . The term borrows the title of Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors, about two sets of twin brothers, master and slave, who are separated in infancy, and the mix-ups occurring when they arrive in the same place many years later. [c. 1600]

fall into

1. Enter or engage in, be drawn into, as in I told Dad not to fall into conversation with them. [Late 1400s]

2. See fall in, def. 1.

3. Be naturally divisible into, as in These students fall into three categories. [First half of 1600s]

4. fall into error or sin . Be drawn into bad behavior, as in I fell into error when I started spending time with the wrong crowd. This usage, like fall from grace, originally alluded to religious concerns. It is now used less often and more loosely. [Late 1100s]

5. fall into a trap. Be deceived, unknowingly become involved in something. For example, By admitting I had free time, I fell into the trap of having to help him with his work . Also see under fall in; fall in line; fall in place.

trial and error

An attempt to accomplish something by trying various means until the correct one is found. for example, The only way to solve this problem is by trial and error. The error here alludes to the failed means or attempts, which are discarded until the right way is found. [c. 1800]

See also: and, error, trial

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

see the error of your ways

COMMON If you see the error of your ways, you realise that you have behaved badly and start to understand how you can do better. I wanted an opportunity to talk some sense into him and try to make him see the error of his ways. Note: You can also say that you realise the error of your ways. It took him a long time, he says, to realise the error of his ways. Note: You can also point out or show someone the error of their ways. He only responded when his players pointed out the error of his ways. But I firmly believe that many of these conservatives can be shown the error of their ways.

trial and error

the process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until you find the most successful.

See also: and, error, trial

the ˌerror of your ˈways

(formal or humorous) what is wrong and should be changed about the kind of life you are leading: While he was in prison, a social worker visited him in an attempt to make him see the error of his ways.

by ˌtrial and ˈerror

trying different ways of doing something until you find the right one: I didn’t know how to use the camera at first, so I had to learn by trial and error.

fall into

1. To descend or drop freely or effortlessly into something: I was so tired that I went to my bedroom and fell into bed.

2. To come to assume a configuration, pattern, or order: The lines of text fell into neat rows. After a quick meeting, our plans fell into place.

3. To come upon, receive, or become involved with something, especially by chance: They fell into a lot of money unexpectedly, so they bought a new car.

4. To undergo a change of state or emotion, especially a negative change: I took one look at my class schedule and fell into a bad mood. The tenants complained when the apartment building fell into disrepair.

comedy of errors

A ludicrous event or sequence of events: The candidate's campaign turned out to be a political comedy of errors.