gaffes

IPA/ɡæf/
KK[ɡˈæfs]IPA/ɡæf/

gaffes — noun

  • gaffessingular
  • gaffesesplural

1. a remark that unintentionally upsets or offends people in a social situation, of

1.名詞C1
釋義

a remark that unintentionally upsets or offends people in a social situation, often because the speaker did not realize it would be hurtful or inappropriate

例句

During the dinner party, Owen made a gaffe by asking Dario about his recent divorce.

The politician's gaffe about unemployment figures was played repeatedly on the evening news.

collocation: political gaffe / gaffe about [topic]

同義詞
  • faux pas

    French loanword with the same meaning; slightly more formal and often used for minor social mistakes.

  • blunder

    A broader term that can describe any careless mistake, not just social ones.

  • slip of the tongue

    Specifically refers to saying something accidentally; less serious than a gaffe.

用法筆記

This sense focuses specifically on spoken mistakes — remarks or comments. Use 'social blunder' for actions. Frequently used in political or professional contexts where a public figure says something inappropriate.

常見錯誤

❌I made a gaffe when I dropped my fork.
✅I made a social blunder when I dropped my fork.
💡'gaffe' is most often used for spoken mistakes, not physical accidents.
❌She committed a gaffe by arriving too early.
✅She committed a social blunder by arriving too early.
💡arriving early is an action, not a remark.

2. an action that accidentally breaks the expected rules of polite behaviour in a s

2.名詞C1
釋義

an action that accidentally breaks the expected rules of polite behaviour in a social or professional setting, causing embarrassment

例句

Gabriel's gaffe at the wedding — congratulating the bride's ex-husband by mistake — left everyone awkward.

The ambassador's gaffe of sitting in the wrong seat embarrassed everyone at the dinner.

collocation: diplomatic gaffe / terrible gaffe

同義詞
  • social blunder

    A more general phrase that covers both spoken and action-based mistakes; slightly less common in everyday speech.

  • indiscretion

    Suggests a lack of good judgment rather than an accident; often implies the person should have known better.

用法筆記

This sense covers action-based social mistakes — gestures, behaviours, and procedural errors — rather than spoken ones. Distinguished from sense 1 by the nature of the mistake (doing vs. saying). Object of the preposition is typically 'of + gerund' or 'by + gerund'.

常見錯誤

❌He told a gaffe about the weather.
✅He made a gaffe by mentioning the weather in a rude way.
💡'gaffe' is not a story you tell; it is a mistake you make.