gaffe /ɡæf/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1900-2000 ; Language: French ; Origin: ⇨ ↑ gaff ]
an embarrassing mistake made in a social situation or in public SYN faux pas :
The consul’s comments were a major diplomatic gaffe.
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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.
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The government is anxious to avoid any more cock-ups.