verbal mishap
Tongue trips up
A verbal mishap is an error in speech—a slip of the tongue, an unfortunate word choice, or an accidental revelation.
The phrase often appears in reporting on public figures: The senator's verbal mishap dominated the news cycle.
It can euphemistically downplay something more serious than a mere stumble.
- slipMinor error or misstep
- slip of the tongueUnintended verbal error
- gaffeClumsy social error
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
flub · tongue-twister · stutter · mispronunciation · wrong word · oops · brain fart · embarrassment · mumble · fumble · blooper · faux pas · foot in mouth · spoonerism · malapropism · garbled · awkward · awkward silence
expression quality
verbal mishapbon mot
Clever, memorable remark
eloquence · mot juste · verbal dexterity · witty repartee · well-turned phrase
verbal, verb, verbs, verbally, verbalize, verbalization, verbiage, verbose, verbosity