A gaffe is an unintentional mistake or error, often in the form of a verbal blunder that reveals one's true thoughts or feelings. It can also refer to any clumsy or embarrassing action that causes discomfort or difficulty for someone involved.
Usage examples
During the press conference, the spokesperson made a major gaffe by mispronouncing the company's name.
The politician's gaffe during the live debate raised a lot of eyebrows among the audience.
The new employee's gaffe in emailing confidential information to the wrong recipient caused a serious breach of privacy.
The comedian's insensitive joke about a current tragedy was seen as a major gaffe and sparked widespread outrage.
The actress accidentally revealed a plot twist in an interview, committing a gaffe that disappointed fans eagerly awaiting the movie's release.
Johnson had attracted criticism in the political media for a series of gaffes in recent weeks, but amongst the wider public he was the most positively perceived of the Labour leadership. (yougov.co.uk)
But he lost in nearly every other category, his campaign faltering after he made a string of gaffes in his speeches, leading to accusations of sexism. (mirror.co.uk)
But our rotten centre - ground - seeking voting system turns politicians into constipated rabbits, afraid to say anything original, battered by press and Twitter for gaffes if they do. (theguardian.com)