Gaffe: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ™ˆ
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gaffe

 

[ษกรฆf ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

social situation

An unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a blunder.

Synonyms

blunder, faux pas, mistake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gaffe

Use 'gaffe' to describe a social or public mistake, especially one made by a public figure or in formal settings. It often carries a sense of embarrassment.

  • The politician's gaffe during the debate was widely reported in the media.
  • She made a gaffe when she forgot the host's name at the party.
blunder

Use 'blunder' to describe a significant mistake, usually resulting from carelessness or lack of understanding. It often implies a serious error with considerable consequences.

  • His blunder cost the company millions of dollars.
  • They realized their blunder too late to fix it.
mistake

Use 'mistake' for a general term that can refer to any kind of error, whether minor or serious, in various contexts including daily activities, decisions, and judgments.

  • She made a mistake on the math test.
  • Forgetting the meeting was a mistake.
faux pas

Use 'faux pas' to describe a socially awkward or tactless act, particularly in situations where social norms or etiquette are expected to be followed.

  • Wearing white to a wedding is often considered a major faux pas.
  • He committed a faux pas by addressing the queen informally.

Examples of usage

  • She realized her gaffe and blushed.
  • His latest gaffe has caused quite a stir in the media.
Context #2 | Noun

political context

A noticeable mistake made by a public figure that may have political consequences.

Synonyms

error, misstep, slip-up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gaffe

Use 'gaffe' mainly when referring to a social or diplomatic blunder, often something that causes embarrassment in public settings.

  • He made a gaffe by forgetting the name of the guest of honor at the banquet.
  • The politician's gaffe during the interview went viral on social media.
error

Use 'error' when referring to a mistake in judgment, calculation, or action that can occur in both formal and informal settings.

  • There was an error in the financial report that needed immediate correction.
  • I made an error by not checking the weather forecast before leaving the house.
slip-up

Use 'slip-up' in informal contexts to describe small mistakes or lapses, often without serious consequences.

  • He made a slip-up by forgetting to lock the door.
  • The baker had a small slip-up and added too much sugar to the recipe.
misstep

Use 'misstep' to talk about minor errors in judgment or actions, often temporary and usually less severe than a blunder.

  • She realized her misstep when she misspoke during the meeting.
  • The actor's misstep on stage caused a moment of awkward silence.

Examples of usage

  • The politician's gaffe during the debate cost him the election.
  • She made a gaffe during her speech that the opposition took advantage of.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'gaffe' comes from the French word for 'hook' or 'to hook,' relating to the idea of being caught in a mistake.
  • In the early 20th century, it began to be used in English to mean a social blunder or mistake.
  • The term likely evolved from theater slang, referring to a forgotten line or error during a performance.

Pop Culture

  • Political gaffes, like mix-ups in speeches, have often become viral moments on social media.
  • Famous actors and musicians have made gaffes at award shows, like awkward speeches that end up being meme material.
  • In television, comedic gaffes are frequently used to entertain viewers, showing actors breaking character or making mistakes.

Psychology

  • Making a gaffe can lead to feelings of embarrassment, which is a natural emotional response to social mistakes.
  • Studies show that laughing at one's own gaffe can help alleviate feelings of social anxiety and strengthen bonds with others.
  • Gaffes often serve as social learning experiences, where individuals learn acceptable behavior through the mistakes of themselves or others.

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters often find themselves in humorous situations due to gaffes, highlighting their flaws and making them more relatable.
  • Writers like Jane Austen used social blunders to critique societal norms and explore themes of propriety and acceptance.
  • Modern novels frequently employ gaffes to add comedic relief, allowing readers to connect with characters on a deeper level.

Translations

Translations of the word "gaffe" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น gafe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เคฒเคคเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Patzer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kesalahan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะผะธะปะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ gafa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅคฑๆ…‹ (ใ—ใฃใŸใ„)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท gaffe

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ metedura de pata

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gaf

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‹ค์ˆ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฒู„ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ trapas

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ trap

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅคฑๆ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ napaka

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ klaufaskapur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั‚ะตะปั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒ”แƒชแƒ“แƒแƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sษ™hv

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ metedura de pata

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,275, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.