gaffe

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++gaffe /ɡæf/ noun [countable]  MISTAKEan embarrassing mistake made in a social situation or in public 〔在社交场合或大庭广众下的〕出丑，失礼，失言 SYN faux pas The consul’s comments were a major diplomatic gaffe. 领事的评论是一次重大的外交失言。► see thesaurus at mistake

Examples from the Corpus

gaffe• A gaffe of a different order from those for which he apologized.• Here, computer-illiterate small-time capitalists can commit gaffes, like holding the mouse upside down, without being seen.• A cultural gaffe would invite a pounding.• When she realized she had mistaken him for his brother, she was horrified at her gaffe.• In France, using the familiar form "tu" ("you") in a business setting would be a major gaffe.• The minister is well known for making gaffes in his speeches.• Even with the occasional gaffe, marketers say placing products in movies is an increasingly important way to enhance exposure.• If elected he would be almost seventy as he took office; some spectacular gaffes during the campaign did not inspire confidence.• The Chargers took advantage of the gaffe on their very first play.Origin gaffe (1900-2000) French → GAFF

gaffe nounChinese  

mistake a social embarrassing Corpus an made in

gaffe
gaffe /ɡæf/ noun [countable]an embarrassing mistake made in a social situation or in public
   SYN  faux pas:
    The consul’s comments were a major diplomatic gaffe.
     

THESAURUS

■ a stupid mistake
   ▪ blunder a stupid mistake caused by not thinking carefully enough about what you are saying or doing, which could have serious results: In a serious blunder by the hospital, two babies were sent home with the wrong parents.
   ▪ gaffe /ɡæf/ an embarrassing and stupid mistake made in a social situation or in public: a serious gaffe in her speech about immigration
   ▪ howler British English a very bad mistake, especially one that shows you do not know something, and that often makes other people laugh: Photographers should be careful of making classic howlers, such as having a tree grow out of your subject’s head.
   ▪ cock-up British English informal a silly mistake when you are doing something – a very informal use: They made a cock-up with the bill. | The government is anxious to avoid any more cock-ups.

gaffeBrE /ɡæf/ 🔊NAmE /ɡæf/ 🔊 nouna mistake that a person makes in public or in a social situation, especially sth embarrassing 失礼；失态；失言 SYN faux pas