dropped a clanger
Made embarrassing mistake
To drop a clanger is to make an embarrassing blunder, especially by saying something tactless or inappropriate: She dropped a clanger when she asked about his wife—they'd divorced months ago.
Chiefly British.
The image is of something loud and jarring, like metal clanging to the floor, drawing unwanted attention to the mistake.
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- awkward momentSocially uncomfortable situation
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- egg on faceEmbarrassment from error
embarrassment · misstep · blooper · faux pas · foot-in-mouth · verbal slip · oversight · botch · slip-up · error · misjudgment · gaffe · brick · tactlessness · howler · mortification · shame · chagrin
dropped a clangernailed it
Succeeded completely, emphatically
hit the mark · saved the day · stuck the landing · rose to the occasion · came up trumps
dropped a clangerread the room
Perceive social atmosphere accurately
dropped a clangerhit it out of the park
Succeed beyond expectations
smashed it · aced it · came through · brought home the bacon · came up trumps
drop, dropped, dropping, drops, dropper, droplet, clang, clanger, clangers