Noun
/ˈoʊ.vər.saɪt/
"Oversight" refers to the act of overseeing or supervising something, typically to ensure compliance, proper execution, or attention to detail. It can also imply a failure to notice something or a mistake because of inattentiveness. The word is relatively common in both spoken and written English, especially in professional, governmental, and regulatory contexts related to management and governance.
"Oversight" is frequently used in formal contexts, such as in discussions about accountability, compliance, and management practices. It appears more often in written texts, such as reports, legal documents, and regulations, but it is not uncommon in spoken language among professionals.
The committee was established to provide oversight on the new budget proposal.
Комитет был создан для осуществления контроля над новым предложением бюджета.
Due to an oversight in the planning process, the project deadline was missed.
Из-за упущения в процессе планирования был пропущен срок выполнения проекта.
The government has increased oversight of the financial industry to prevent fraud.
Правительство увеличило контроль над финансовой отраслью, чтобы предотвратить мошенничество.
"Oversight" forms part of some expressions that emphasize the importance of careful supervision or the consequences of neglect. Here are a few relevant idiomatic expressions related to oversight:
No oversight, no progress.
Без контроля нет прогресса.
This means that without proper supervision, advancements or improvements are unlikely to occur.
The devil is in the details (and oversight).
Дьявол кроется в деталях (и в упущении).
This phrase highlights that neglecting details can lead to significant problems.
Look over your shoulder for oversight.
Смотри через плечо на контроль.
This suggests being aware of supervision or scrutiny in one's actions.
Oversight can prevent a misstep.
Контроль может предотвратить ошибку.
This indicates that careful supervision can help avoid mistakes.
With oversight comes responsibility.
С контролем приходит ответственность.
This phrase emphasizes that supervising tasks also entails being responsible for the outcomes.
The word "oversight" is derived from the combination of "over" (meaning "above" or "higher than") and "sight" (meaning "vision" or "seeing"). It has roots in Old English and Middle English, where it was used in various forms to describe the act of watching over or supervising something.