faux pas
/fəʊ ˈpɑː
/ /fo pa/noun (plural same)
An embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation: ‘I was suddenly sick in the back of their car’—it was years before he could confess his faux pas to them...
- Every social faux pas, every cruel word, every embarrassment returns with fresh power to demoralise.
- Well you wouldn't want to read that book, obviously, but it's the sort of thing you need to know about in order to avoid making embarrassing faux pas.
- For example, they might be less likely to recognize that a social faux pas or insult could cause someone else offence.
Synonyms
gaffe, blunder, mistake;
indiscretion, impropriety, breach/lapse of etiquette, solecism, gaucherie, peccadillo
informal boob, boo-boo, slip-up, clanger, howler, boner
North American informal blooper
British informal, dated bloomer
Origin
French, literally 'false step'.
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