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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.

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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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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botch - To carry out a task badly or carelessly

Eric botched the assignment that he was asked to do, so his supervisor had to reprimand him.

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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repercussions - The effects or results of an action, event, or decision, especially those that are unintended or negative.

His decision to suddently quit the company without notice had serious repercussions, hurting his reputation and making it hard to find another job.

noun

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aberration - A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected.

The principal let Johnny go without any punishment, because his outburst had been an aberration from his usual good behavior.

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.

noun

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reckoning - A time when someone's actions will be judged to be right or wrong.

He broke and stole many things when he was drunk, and now his day of reckoning would happen in front of a judge.

noun

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mixup - An error resulting from things being wrongly arranged or identified.

There was a mix-up at the airport, and my luggage went to the wrong city.

verb

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bungle - To carry out a task clumsily or incompetently, leading to failure or an unsatisfactory outcome

The painter bungled his job when he misspelled the word on the road sign.

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.