blunder
/ˈblʌndə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈblʌndər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈblən-dər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈblʌn.dər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈblʌn.dɚ/ (ame, ipa)
blunder — noun
1. an embarrassing or harmful error that happens because someone acts carelessly or
an embarrassing or harmful error that happens because someone acts carelessly or without enough thought.
The pilot's map blunder sent the rescue boat miles south.
noun: blunder causing a bad result
Priya admitted her visa blunder after missing the flight to Seoul.
A late payment blunder cost the cafe its weekend food order.
The minister's public blunder filled tomorrow's newspapers with angry headlines.
文法句型
make a blunder
a blunder in [something]
用法筆記
Often used for a mistake with serious or embarrassing results, not for a tiny everyday slip. Distinguish from verb sense 2, which describes making the mistake rather than the mistake itself.
常見錯誤
blunder — verb
1. to move in a clumsy, poorly controlled way, often into things or the wrong place
to move in a clumsy, poorly controlled way, often into things or the wrong place.
In the fog, the hikers blundered into a muddy ditch.
blunder into + place or object
Half asleep, Omar blundered down the dark hall toward the bathroom.
After the fence fell, the injured horse blundered into thorn bushes.
Tourists blundered around the cave until a guide found them.
文法句型
blunder into [place/object]
blunder along / around / through
用法筆記
Usually appears with words such as 'into', 'through', 'around', or 'along' to show the path or place. It often suggests darkness, panic, or poor control.
2. to act so foolishly or carelessly that you cause a serious mistake.
to act so foolishly or carelessly that you cause a serious mistake.
The company blundered by cutting support during the winter storm.
blunder by + -ing
Wen blundered when he emailed the secret file to every client.
blunder when + clause
The buyers blundered by sending passport copies to the fake website.
The coach blundered and left two strong players on the bench.
During the flood, local officials blundered by closing the only safe road.
- succeed
general opposite when the action goes well
- judge correctly
focuses on making the right decision
文法句型
blunder by doing something
blunder when + clause
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'by + -ing' to explain the wrong action. Distinguish from noun sense 1, which names the mistake itself.
常見錯誤
3. to say something foolishly or confusedly, often before thinking first.
to say something foolishly or confusedly, often before thinking first.
Under pressure, Ravi blundered an apology that sounded cold and false.
transitive: blunder + apology
Noa blundered a rude joke during the school prize ceremony.
Trying to help, the uncle blundered an excuse for the broken window.
In the interview, the actor blundered a reply to a question about his ex-wife.
- withhold
means not saying the words at all
- phrase carefully
suggests choosing words with control
文法句型
blunder an apology / excuse / reply
blunder someone's name
用法筆記
Much rarer than verb sense 2. The object is usually the actual words spoken, such as an apology, excuse, reply, or name.