Oversee vs. overlook

[fishest]

Test No. incompl/advan-4 "Newspaper Headlines", question 4

The boss was good enough to ......... my mistake.

(a) oversee
(b) overtake
(c) overdo
(d) overlook

Test No. incompl/advan-4 "Newspaper Headlines", answer 4

The boss was good enough to overlook my mistake.

Correct answer: (d) overlook

Your answer was: incorrect
The boss was good enough to oversee my mistake.
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What is the difference between overlook and oversee?

[Torsten]

Hi Fishest,

Many thanks for your interesting question.

to oversee means to supervise, to manage

to overlook means to fail to notice or to excuse
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[flashjet]

Why isn't the sentence: "The boss was good enough to oversee my mistake" correct.

Afterall the boss would be professionally competent ("good") only when he / she is able to catch ("see") the mistake of the staff.

Please explain.

Thank you.

[Torsten]

Oversee means to manage or supervise. You will certainly agree that you can't supervise a mistake.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[flashjet]

Now I get it. Thank you for the help.