Mission creep
Meaning: A gradual expansion of a project or task beyond its original scope.
Military term for when a limited operation gradually expands into something much bigger than originally planned. Somalia (1993) is the classic example. Now widely used in business for projects that keep growing beyond their original scope.
Examples
- What started as a simple website redesign turned into full mission creep. 一开始只是简单的网站改版,结果变成了典型的任务蔓延。Lo que empezó como un simple rediseño web acabó en un caso de mission creep total.シンプルなウェブサイトのリニューアルだったはずが、完全なミッション・クリープになった。단순한 웹사이트 리뉴얼이었는데 완전한 미션 크리프가 되어버렸다.
- We need to avoid mission creep — let's stick to the original plan. 我们得避免任务蔓延——坚持原来的计划。Tenemos que evitar el mission creep — ciñámonos al plan original.ミッション・クリープを避けなければ — 当初の計画通りにいこう。미션 크리프를 피해야 해 — 원래 계획대로 가자.
- The renovation budget doubled because of mission creep. 装修预算因为任务蔓延翻了一倍。El presupuesto de la reforma se duplicó por culpa del mission creep.ミッション・クリープのせいで、リフォームの予算が倍になった。미션 크리프 때문에 리모델링 예산이 두 배가 되었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: military, project management, politics
Tone: cautionary, analytical
✓ Do Say
- Watch out for mission creep.小心任务蔓延。Cuidado con el mission creep.Watch out for mission creep.(ミッション・クリープに気をつけろ。)미션 크리프를 조심해.
- This is classic mission creep.这是典型的任务蔓延。Esto es un caso clásico de mission creep.This is classic mission creep.(これは典型的なミッション・クリープだ。)이건 전형적인 미션 크리프야.
✗ Don't Say
- Technical term — explain if your audience isn't familiar.专业术语——如果听众不熟悉,需要解释一下。Término técnico — conviene explicarlo si tu audiencia no lo conoce.専門用語 — 聞き手がなじみのない場合は説明が必要。전문 용어이므로 청중이 모를 경우 설명이 필요하다.
Origin & History
Term gained prominence after the 1993 Somalia intervention, where a humanitarian mission expanded into combat operations. Now standard in project management vocabulary.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s–present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions
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