Blunders: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'blunders' to describe serious or careless mistakes, often with significant consequences. It typically implies a high degree of fault and could involve criticism.

• The company's financial blunders led to its downfall.
• His political blunders cost him the election.

A more general and less formal term for an incorrect action, decision, or judgment. It can be used in everyday conversation to describe anything from minor to serious mistakes.

• I made a mistake by not checking the schedule properly.
• Leaving the keys inside the car was a big mistake.

This term is more formal and can be used in various contexts, especially technical, academic, or professional settings. It can refer to both small and large mistakes.

• There was an error in the calculation, which needs to be corrected before the presentation.
• The software encountered an error and shut down unexpectedly.

A term used for small, often negligible mistakes. It usually implies that the mistake was made unintentionally and without serious consequences.

• It was just a minor slip-up, nothing to worry about.
• He apologized for the slip-up in the meeting notes.

Major mistakes, often due to carelessness or lack of knowledge. Can be used in both casual and formal settings.

• He made several blunders during the presentation
• Her blunders at work have cost the company a lot of money

A common and informal way to indicate making a mistake or handling something badly. Suitable for casual conversations.

• I messed up the recipe and the cake didn't turn out well
• They really messed up the schedule this week

To make an error or perform poorly, usually in a casual or informal situation. Often used for minor mistakes.

• He flubbed his lines during the play
• She flubbed the easy math problem in class

To do something badly or fail to handle a task properly, often used in professional or formal situations. Implies incompetence.

• The manager bungled the project, resulting in missed deadlines
• They bungled the rescue operation, leading to further complications