Grammar fix

admit mistake

confess error

to say that you have done something wrong or made a mistake, usually after first denying it or keeping it secret.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

After breaking the vase, she finally admitted her mistake.daily life
In my opinion, it's important for leaders to admit their mistakes because it builds trust with their team.IELTS speaking

Pattern: admit (a/the/your) mistake

WrongHe admitted his mistake to do that.

RightHe admitted it was a mistake to do that. / He admitted his mistake.

'Admit a mistake' or 'admit that...' — don't tack a to-infinitive onto 'admit his mistake'.

Patternadmit (a/the/your) mistake

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I confess that I committed an error in the report.

Natural I'll admit I made a mistake in the report.

'Admit (you) made a mistake' is the natural phrasing; 'confess that I committed an error' is heavy.

Words that usually travel with it.

Compare with 'deny a mistake' (refuse to say you made a mistake).