lapse

音標(biāo)發(fā)音

He is usually well-behaved; this rudeness is only a lapse.
他一向彬彬有禮，這次的無禮只是一時(shí)的失態(tài)。

(FAILURE) a temporary failure
(PERIOD) a period of time passing between two things happening
to end legally or officially by not being continued or made effective for a longer period

A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well.
A lapse of something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake.
If you lapse into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.
If someone lapses into a particular way of speaking, or behaving, they start speaking or behaving in that way, usually for a short period.
Lapse is also a noun.
A lapse of time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to have a different opinion about it.
If a period of time lapses, it passes.
If a situation or legal contract lapses, it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.
If a member of a particular religion lapses, they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices.