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,
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
See noun
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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
See noun
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flop -
To fail
Sam put his product on Amazon, but when no one bought it, he saw that after all his effort and investment that it was going to flop.
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.
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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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.
verb
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squander -
To waste something, such as money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner
Many lottery winners end up squandering their fortune and returning to their life of poverty.
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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blooper -
An embarrassing error
Movies will frequently have blooper reels where the actors laugh and ruin a scene.
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.
