lapse from grace

1. noun An instance in which acts or lives immorally, thus causing them to fall out of favor with God. My pastor said God will always forgive a lapse from grace if you truly repent.

2. noun An instance in which one does something that tarnishes one's reputation, causing one to fall out of favor with someone, such as the public. That actor had a catastrophic lapse from grace after his racially-charged tirade on social media. After my lapse from grace with my previous employers, I decided to set out on my own and begin my own company.

3. verb To fall out of favor with God or the church, typically due to acting or living immorally. Many a virtuous man and woman to lapse from grace in the pursuit of wealth and material success. The archbishop lashed out at priests who have lapsed from grace and besmirched the dignity of the church.

4. verb To fall out of favor, typically due to having done something that tarnishes one's reputation. Once an icon of the pop-music world, the singer lapsed from grace following a string of run-ins with the police.

1. Lit. to fall out of favor with God. The child was told that if he ever smoked even one cigarette, he would lapse from grace for certain. It is easy, these days, to lapse from grace.

2. Fig. to fall out of favor. Ted lapsed from grace when he left the lobby door unlocked all weekend. I have to be there on time every day or I will lapse from grace for sure.