my bad

I goofed, sorry

My bad is an informal acknowledgment of fault or mistake—a casual way of saying "that was my error" or "I'm sorry." The phrase emerged from American slang and functions as a quick, often lighthearted admission: My bad, I thought you said Tuesday.

It tends toward minor slip-ups rather than serious apologies.

acknowledgment

sorry

Expressing regret or apology

apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame

admission · oops · pardon · forgiveness · reconciliation · amend · rectify · explanation · concession · accountability

casualness

goof

Minor foolish error

blunderFoolish, costly mistake
mistakeWrong action or decision
flubClumsy error

gaffe · blooper · fumble · screwup · oopsie · whoopsie · brainfart · clanger · howler · fail

regret

guilt

Moral self-reproach

remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
shamePainful awareness of failure
self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing

chagrin · embarrassment · sheepishness · contrition · rue · cringe · mortification · wincing · red-faced · chagrined

Categories

excusesexcuse, overslept, alibi, excuses, denial
giving upgive up, giving up, quit, quitting, surrender
Apology wordsapology, oops, excuse me, pardon me, forgive me
oopsoops, whoops, whoopsie, oopsie, woopsie
90s Slangall that, as if, da bomb, the bomb, dope
accountabilityaccountability, responsibility, accountable, take responsibility, answerability

Opposites

responsibility attribution

my badyour fault

Blame assigned to you

not my fault · not my problem · not me · passing the buck · deflection

formality of apology

my badplease forgive me

mea culpa · I beg your pardon · formal apology · heartfelt apology

attitude toward error

Expression of indifference

deal with it · not my problem · whatever · sue me · tough luck

Family

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G