gaffe

blunder, gaffe

noun GAF Less Common

Also means

boathook (nautical)

Usage Note

Gaffe in everyday speech means an embarrassing social blunder. The expression faire une gaffe ('to put your foot in it') is very common in informal French. It also has a nautical sense (a long pole with a hook for handling boats), which is the word's older meaning.

Examples

"J'ai encore fait une gaffe."

Natural Translation

I put my foot in it again.

Literal Translation

I made a gaffe again.

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