be amiss

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Explanation of "Be Amiss"

Definition: The phrase "be amiss" means that something is not right, not correct, or not as it should be. It often implies that there is a problem or something is wrong.

Usage Instructions

• You can use "be amiss" when you want to express that you feel something is off or needs attention.
• It is often used in more formal or literary contexts.

Example

1. "I noticed that something was amiss when I saw her sad expression."
2. "If anything seems amiss with your order, please contact customer service."

Advanced Usage

• "Be amiss" can be used in various tenses. For example:
  • Present: "Something is amiss."
  • Past: "Something was amiss."
  • Future: "If anything is amiss, I will let you know."

Word Variants

• Amiss (adjective): This can be used alone to describe something that is not right.
  • Example: "His explanation was amiss."

Different Meanings

• "Amiss" primarily means wrong or not right. It doesn’t have multiple meanings but can be used in different contexts to indicate various issues (like feelings, situations, etc.).

Synonyms

• Wrong
• Off
• Unusual
• Awry

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While "be amiss" is not part of a specific idiom, you might come across phrases like: - "Something smells fishy" - indicating that something seems wrong or suspicious. - "Out of sorts" - meaning feeling unwell or not quite right.

Summary

In summary, "be amiss" is a phrase used to indicate that something is wrong or not functioning as it should be. It's useful in both written and spoken English, especially when discussing problems or concerns.

Academic

Verb

1. interpret in the wrong way
   • Don't misinterpret my comments as criticism
   • She misconstrued my remarks

Synonyms

• misconstrue
• misinterpret
• misconceive
• misunderstand
• misapprehend