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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fizzle -
To finish in a way that is disappointing
At the start of his race for mayor it looked like Fred was going to win, but his many verbal mistakes caused his candidacy to just fizzle out.
noun
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glitch -
A sudden, unexpected, and usually temporary malfunction of equipment such as a computer
The space shuttle take-off was canceled with 2 seconds left in the countdown, due to a glitch discovered in the fuel supply.
noun
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flaw -
A mark, fault, or other imperfection that mars a substance or object
Supermodel Cindy Crawford's mole is viewed as a flaw that makes her even more beautiful.
noun
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mishap -
An unexpected mistake or error, often not serious but troublesome.
Despite a few mishaps during rehearsal, the play was a big success.
adjective
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indiscreet -
Saying something that should be private, showing a lack of judgment,
John realized that he had been indiscreet when he revealed on the job interview as a financial advisor that he had lost all his money in the stock market.
verb
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backfire -
When a plan fails, to have the opposite result of what was intended.
The politician tried to hide his assets, in order to appear like a common man. But his plan backfired when they were revealed, and people saw that he was a liar.
noun
See verb
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slip -
A small mistake or accident, often due to carelessness.
After he commented about her weight, he apologized for the slip of the tongue that he wished he hadn't said,
adjective
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erroneous -
Misleading or false in belief, statement, or action.
Relying on erroneous data can lead to poor decisions in business.
adjective
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negligent -
To mistakenly fail to do something that should have been done
Bill admitted that he was negligent in not locking the door, and as a result the house was robbed.
noun
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boondoggle -
Work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value
When the funds dried up before the bridge could be finished, it turned into an expensive boondoggle that couldn't transport anybody.
noun
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blunder -
A stupid or careless mistake
Emma realized she had made a huge blunder when she accidentally deleted the entire spreadsheet.
