puts one's foot in one's mouth
Says something regrettable
To put one's foot in one's mouth is to say something tactless, embarrassing, or inappropriate, often without realizing it until the damage is done.
The expression suggests the awkwardness of having said something you immediately regret.
I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her husband—I didn't know they'd divorced.
Someone prone to this is said to have foot-in-mouth disease, a joking reference to the livestock ailment.
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- awkward momentSocially uncomfortable situation
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
faux pas · verbal gaffe · gaffe · chagrin · foot-in-mouth · regret · indiscretion · clanger · misspeak · mortification · shame · misstep · impropriety · tactlessness · self-consciousness · blooper · bungle · oversharing
puts one's foot in one's mouthreads the room
Assesses collective sentiment
silver-tongued · schmoozes · smooth-talks · honeyed words · well-spoken
puts one's foot in one's mouthbites one's tongue
Deliberately withholds a remark
keeps one's mouth shut · keeps mum · keeps one's counsel · errs on the side of caution · keeps a low profile
putting, footed, footing, footwear, footage, footwork, mouths, mouthed, mouthing