mishap

This term describes a misfortune that is generally perceived as a fluke or a clumsy error rather than a calculated failure or a grand tragedy. It carries a lighter tone than words like catastrophe or disaster, suggesting that while the event was unfortunate, it is likely recoverable or merely embarrassing. Because it refers to a specific instance of bad luck, it is treated as a standard countable noun. It is frequently used in narratives to introduce a plot twist or a minor complication that adds tension without permanently altering the outcome of a situation.