flunk -
To fail to reach the required standard in an examination, test, or course of study
Ron hid his school test from his mother because he didn't want her to know he had flunked it.
noun
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fluke -
Unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck
Since he was the worst player on his baseball team, Taylor knew the home run he had just hit was a fluke.
noun
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snafu -
A confused or chaotic state; a mess
A lack of funding led to the snafu of an incomplete bridge being built across the river.
verb
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fumble -
Use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something
The football player fumbled the ball, so the opposing players tried to grab it.
verb
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blurt -
To say (something) suddenly and without careful consideration
Xavier felt embarrassed when he blurted out the answer before hearing the whole question.
noun
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fiasco -
A thing that is a complete failure, especially in a ludicrous or humiliating way
In the 1980s, Coca-Cola released New Coke, which ended up being one of the costliest business fiascos ever.
noun
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liability -
Something that is likely to cause a problem.
Joe was going to choose Fred as his running mate, but then he realized that Fred's drinking problem would just make him a liability, so he chose someone else.
noun
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bystander -
a person who is near something that is happening but is involved by accident
When the police where chasing some robbers, they shot and injured some innocent bystanders.
verb
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scuttle -
To be forced to cancel one's plans
Because he couldn't give up his smoking habit, Barry had to scuttle his plans to be a great runner.
adjective
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humbling -
Causing someone to feel less important or proud, often by emphasizing their limitations.
Receiving so much help from strangers during hard times was a humbling experience.
verb
See noun
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stumble -
Trip or momentarily lose one's balance; almost fall
Danny ran too fast and stumbled, spilling his coffee on the floor.
verb
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backfire -
To have the opposite effect of what was intended, usually producing a negative result.
At the company meeting, his attempt to lie backfired, and when the truth came out, he was very embarrassed.
