gaffe

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“
All things considered, the gaffe was the result either A or B:

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Definitions (4)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun A clumsy social error; a faux pas: "The excursion had in his eyes been a monstrous gaffe, a breach of sensibility and good taste” (Mary McCarthy).
  2. noun A blatant mistake or misjudgment.

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Examples (48)

  • It's been said that a gaffe is accidentally telling the truth. —  Hoystory
  • If you're lucky your gaffe was an innocuous little message inadvertently sent to the wrong friend. —  Articles
  • The Conservatives said the gaffe was a sign that the Government was embarrassed to have overseen the honouring of a man who some blame for the near-collapse of RBS. —  The Independent - Frontpage RSS Feed
  • The other gaffe is a bit more serious for Cameron. —  Peter Black AM
  • This gaffe (again, to me the gaffe is one of political tone deafness) sure isn't going to help. —  Ankle Biting Pundits
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This word has been looked up 119 times.

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Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. French, from Old French, hook; see gaff1.
 

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