debacle
noun /dɪˈbɑːkl/, /deɪˈbɑːkl/
/dɪˈbɑːkl/
- an event or a situation that is a complete failure and causes people to feel ashamed or embarrassed
- He should take responsibility for the debacle and resign.
- Let’s hope this is the end of the debacle over player transfer fees.
Word Originearly 19th cent.: from French débâcle, from débâcler ‘unleash’, from dé- ‘un-’ + bâcler ‘to bar’ (from Latin baculum ‘staff’).