gaffe
Embarrassing public mistake
A gaffe is an embarrassing blunder, especially a social mistake or tactless remark: The senator's gaffe about the economy dominated the news cycle.
Unlike a simple error, a gaffe implies awkwardness or loss of face—saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, often publicly.
Wrong action or decision
- errorFault in communication
- misstepError in action or judgment
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
miscalculation · fumble · flub · bungle · blooper · goof · snafu · miscue
Social misstep or indiscretion
- breachBreaking of agreement
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- solecismGrammatical or social blunder
tactlessness · indelicacy · gaucherie · etiquette · inappropriateness · undiplomatic · insensitivity · clumsiness
Loss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- discomfitureUneasy self-conscious distress
chagrin · red-faced · flustered · cringe · disgrace · sheepish · blush · apologetic
mistake
Wrong action or decision
oversight · miscalculation · fumble · flub · bungle · blooper · goof · snafu · miscue · clanger
faux pas
Social misstep or indiscretion
- breachBreaking of agreement
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
solecism · tactlessness · indelicacy · gaucherie · etiquette · inappropriateness · undiplomatic · insensitivity · clumsiness · offense
humiliation
Loss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
discomfiture · chagrin · red-faced · flustered · cringe · disgrace · sheepish · blush · apologetic · wince
scandal
Disgraceful public affair
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- soundbiteBrief broadcast excerpt
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
press · media · viral · walkback · apology · resignation · backlash · fallout · headline · damage control
- campaign jargonstump speech, talking points, sound bites, soundbite, soundbites
- errorserror, mistake, blunder, blunders, fault
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- bloopersbloopers, blooper, fail, gag reel, outtakes
- blundersblunder, blunders, blundered, mistakes, botch
- campaigningcandidate, campaign signs, canvassing, campaign manager, fundraising
gaffeaccuracy
Degree of correctness
precision · correctness · masterstroke · exactness · exactitude
- social gaffe
- blowing the gaffBetraying a confidence
- verbal gaffeEmbarrassing spoken mistake