foot in mouth
Embarrassing speech error
Foot in mouth describes the embarrassing situation of having said something tactless, inappropriate, or unintentionally offensive.
The image is of someone stuffing their own foot into their mouth mid-conversation.
Often appears as put one's foot in one's mouth or foot-in-mouth moment: I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her husband—they're divorced.
- gaffeClumsy social error
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- embarrassCause social discomfort
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- awkward silenceUncomfortable lull in conversation
cringe · slip · faux pas · tactless · regret · clumsy · oops · stumble · shame · egg on face · verbal · mishap · apologize · uncomfortable · insensitive · inappropriate · wince · backpedal
- expressions for speaking rashlyspeak too soon, blurt out, speak out of turn, let slip, talk out of turn
- awkward momentsoops, cringe, embarrassment, yikes, awkward
- social blundersgaffe, faux pas, misstep, blooper, flub
- socially awkwardshy, nervous, tongue-tied, social anxiety, shyness
- speech errorsslip of the tongue, mispronunciation, malapropism, malapropisms, spoonerism
- cringecringe, cringeworthy, cringy, secondhand embarrassment, facepalm
foot in mouthtact
Sensitivity in speech
diplomacy · silver tongue · smooth talker · savoir-faire · social grace
foot in mouthcutting remark
Hurtful pointed comment
zingers · barb · verbal attack · verbal jab · snide remark
foot in mouthmot juste
Ideally suited expression
measured response · articulate · precise language · wordsmith · perfect timing
foot, mouth, footed, footer, footing, footwork, footprint, footstep, mouthed