foot-in-mouth
Saying something regrettable
Foot-in-mouth describes the tendency to say embarrassing, tactless, or inappropriate things, often without realizing it until too late.
The expression comes from the idiom "put one's foot in one's mouth," suggesting someone has figuratively stuffed their foot where words should come out.
It typically appears as a modifier: He has a real foot-in-mouth problem.
Someone prone to this might be said to suffer from foot-in-mouth disease, a joking play on foot-and-mouth disease in cattle.
Clumsy social error
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- cringeShrink from discomfort
humiliation · mortification · regret · shame · red-faced · wince · uncomfortable · apologize
Express oneself incorrectly
- blurtSpeak suddenly, thoughtlessly
- verbalOf or in words
- tongue-tiedUnable to express oneself
- slipMinor error or misstep
remark · comment · statement · utterance · quote · interview · live · microphone
Not suitable or fitting
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
- carelessInattentive, prone to mistakes
rude · impolite · diplomatic · etiquette · breach · taboo · boundary · audience
Acknowledge a fault
- retractWithdraw something said
- clarifyMake something understandable
- damage controlLimiting further harm
- walk backReverse a prior position
spin · explain · justify · excuse · mea culpa · forgiveness · correction · amendment
gaffe
Clumsy social error
cringe · humiliation · mortification · regret · shame · red-faced · wince · uncomfortable · apologize · backpedal
misspeak
Express oneself incorrectly
- blurtSpeak suddenly, thoughtlessly
- verbalOf or in words
- tongue-tiedUnable to express oneself
slip · remark · comment · statement · utterance · quote · interview · live · microphone · press conference
inappropriate
Not suitable or fitting
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
careless · rude · impolite · diplomatic · etiquette · breach · taboo · boundary · audience · context
apologize
Acknowledge a fault
- retractWithdraw something said
- clarifyMake something understandable
- damage controlLimiting further harm
walk back · spin · explain · justify · excuse · mea culpa · forgiveness · correction · amendment · save face
- social blundersgaffe, faux pas, misstep, blooper, flub
- verbal blundersslip, gaffe, verbal slip, verbal gaffe, blabbing
- speech errorsslip of the tongue, mispronunciation, malapropism, malapropisms, spoonerism
foot-in-mouthtactful
Socially sensitive and careful
diplomatic · gracious · discreet · politic · circumspect
foot-in-moutheloquent
Fluent and persuasive
articulate · adroit · deft · quick-witted · sharp
foot-in-moutheloquence
Persuasive verbal grace
diplomacy · tact · silver-tongued · smooth-talking · well-spoken
foot, mouth, footed, footer, footing, footwork, footprint, footstep, footwear