gaffes
Embarrassing public errors
Gaffes is the plural of gaffe, a blunder or faux pas—an embarrassing mistake, especially one made in public or social situations.
Politicians are particularly prone to gaffes: His campaign never recovered from his gaffes about women voters.
A gaffe often reveals something the speaker didn't intend to expose.
Social misstep or indiscretion
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- blooperEmbarrassing recorded mistake
- flubClumsy error
- bungleFail through clumsiness
botch · fumble · howler · clanger · goof · snafu · misstep · oversight
Social misstep or indiscretion
- tactlessnessAbsence of social sensitivity
- indelicacyWant of propriety
- gaucherieTactless or clumsy behavior
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
awkwardness · insensitivity · rudeness · offense · solecism · indiscretion · inappropriateness · discourtesy
Embarrassing recorded mistake
- outtakeRemoved recording segment
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- satireMockery exposing vice
- lampoonHarsh public mockery
mockery · parody · late-night · roast · meme · compilation · cringe comedy · slapstick
Unconsciously revealing misstatement
- hot micUnknowingly active recorder
- misstatementIncorrect assertion of fact
- soundbiteBrief broadcast excerpt
- press conferenceOrganized media Q&A
interview · debate · campaign trail · spin · retraction · clarification · controversy · backlash
Intense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- discomfitureUneasy self-conscious distress
shame · cringe · awkward moment · flustered · abashment · self-consciousness · wincing · sheepishness
faux pas
Social misstep or indiscretion
bungle · botch · fumble · howler · clanger · goof · snafu · misstep · oversight · miscalculation
faux pas
Social misstep or indiscretion
- tactlessnessAbsence of social sensitivity
- indelicacyWant of propriety
- gaucherieTactless or clumsy behavior
impropriety · awkwardness · insensitivity · rudeness · offense · solecism · indiscretion · inappropriateness · discourtesy · crassness
blooper
Embarrassing recorded mistake
lampoon · mockery · parody · late-night · roast · meme · compilation · cringe comedy · slapstick · farce
Freudian slip
Unconsciously revealing misstatement
- hot micUnknowingly active recorder
- misstatementIncorrect assertion of fact
- soundbiteBrief broadcast excerpt
press conference · interview · debate · campaign trail · spin · retraction · clarification · controversy · backlash · resignation
mortification
Intense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
discomfiture · shame · cringe · awkward moment · flustered · abashment · self-consciousness · wincing · sheepishness · egg on face
gaffestactfulness
Skill in sensitive situations
diplomacy · propriety · decorum · savoir-faire · social graces
gaffeseloquence
Persuasive verbal grace
masterstrokes · bon mots · articulateness · verbal dexterity · triumphs
gaffesbarbs
Sharp points or jibes
zingers · cutting remarks · snubs · put-downs
- social gaffe
- gaffer tapeMatte cloth adhesive strip
- blowing the gaffBetraying a confidence
- verbal gaffeEmbarrassing spoken mistake