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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.

verb

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fritter - To waste or squander time, money or resources.

My father told me I would prosper if I don't fritter away my time and money because they are equally precious.

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.

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.

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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culpable - Deserving to be blamed or considered responsible and guilty for something bad that happened.

The mother felt that her oldest son was more culpable for the messy bedroom than his younger brother, because he should have known better.

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.

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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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.

verb

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overreach - To go beyond what is proper, reasonable, or safe—especially in power or ambition; to stretch too far and fail as a result.

The company overreached by expanding too quickly and ended up in debt.

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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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.