putting one's foot in one's mouth
Saying something regrettable
Putting one's foot in one's mouth is saying something embarrassing, tactless, or inappropriate—usually by accident.
The image suggests clumsily stuffing your own foot where words should come out: I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her husband—I forgot they'd divorced.
The phrase implies immediate regret upon realizing the blunder.
- impulsivenessActing without forethought
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- awkward silenceUncomfortable lull in conversation
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- eating crowAdmitting embarrassing error
awkwardness · faux pas · tactlessness · verbal diarrhea · speaking out of turn · regret · nervousness · gaffe · indiscretion · slip of the tongue · clarification · misjudgment · miscommunication · misunderstanding · shame · blurting out · foot in mouth · overconfidence
putting one's foot in one's mouthtact
Sensitivity in speech
diplomacy · eloquence · discretion · savoir-faire · silver tongue
putting one's foot in one's mouthreading the room
Perceiving social cues accurately
social grace · perfect timing · perceptiveness · situational awareness · emotional intelligence
putting one's foot in one's mouthpointed remark
Cutting comment aimed deliberately
barb · verbal attack · cutting remark · tongue-lashing · trash talk