off-note
Pitch gone wrong
An off-note is a sound or element that doesn't fit harmoniously with its surroundings.
In music, it's a note that deviates from the expected pitch or key.
Figuratively, it describes anything that strikes a discordant or jarring quality in an otherwise coherent whole: The comedian's political joke was an off-note in an otherwise lighthearted set.
Her forced cheerfulness hit an off-note with everyone who knew what she was going through.
Lacking harmonic agreement
- out-of-tuneWrong in pitch
- flatLacking vertical variation
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- pitchyMusically off-target
misplay · clinker · mistimed · wavering · cracked · strained · wobbly · flubbed
Fault or shortcoming
- blemishVisible flaw or mark
- misstepError in action or judgment
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- glitchMinor system fault
inconsistency · aberration · irregularity · defect · slip · deviation · hiccup · blip
Sharp, biting taste
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- rancidDecomposed fat's quality
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
musty · funky · tainted · oxidized · corked · stale · vinegary · fermented
Clumsy social error
- misstepError in action or judgment
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
tactless · tone-deaf · misjudged · clumsy · ill-timed · inopportune · miscalculated · cringe
dissonant
Lacking harmonic agreement
- out-of-tuneWrong in pitch
- flatLacking vertical variation
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
pitchy · misplay · clinker · mistimed · wavering · cracked · strained · wobbly · flubbed · botched
imperfection
Fault or shortcoming
glitch · inconsistency · aberration · irregularity · defect · slip · deviation · hiccup · blip · snag
sour
Sharp, biting taste
spoiled · musty · funky · tainted · oxidized · corked · stale · vinegary · fermented · turned
gaffe
Clumsy social error
inappropriate · tactless · tone-deaf · misjudged · clumsy · ill-timed · inopportune · miscalculated · cringe
musty
Stale from dampness
- rancidDecomposed fat's quality
- sulfurousContaining yellow element
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
synthetic · discordant · harsh · cloying · skunky · medicinal · plasticky · metallic · artificial · unbalanced