flub

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flub" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a mistake or blunder, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "During the presentation, I made a flub when I accidentally mixed up the data points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

JONI ERNST did not flub her lines or commit any gaffes.

The Economist

Anything can happen, and any flub will be amplified beyond recognition.

The Economist

A similar flub was committed by Todd Akin, who lost to Claire McCaskill, the Democratic incumbent, in Missouri.

The Economist

But that bill was a response to the flub of a Democrat, Connecticut's Richard Blumenthal.

The Economist

Jesus preached in Aramaic, but in Roman Palestine, the language of prestige and commerce was Greek (not Latin, a flub made by Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ").

The Economist

She's made the odd flub or three, including muddling up her revolutionary history.

The Economist

Jeffrey Toobin profiled Obama's bumbling replacement in the Senate, warned of the dangers of Senate confirmation hearings, and mulled John Roberts Inaugurationn flub.

The New Yorker

Under the conventions of politics, once is flub; often is a flaw.

The New Yorker

As the patients watched David flub situation after situation, they laughed, and they willingly discussed with Roberts how they might behave in the same circumstances.

The New Yorker

Joel Coen may flub the point of some of the scenes, and toss in inane closeups of a bludgeoning weapon to show us that it's a piggy bank, but he knows how to place the characters and the props in the film frame in a way that makes the audience feel knowing and in on the joke.

The New Yorker

Geithner did flub his first big speech, when he gave markets only a tentative sketch of what the Administration's bank plan would look like.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flub" when you want to convey a sense of informality or casualness when describing a mistake. It's suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "flub" in formal or professional documents, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more appropriate alternatives like "error", "mistake", or "blunder" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "flub" functions as both a verb, meaning to make a mistake, and a noun, referring to the mistake itself. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates an error in performance. The examples showcase its versatility in describing errors in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flub" is a versatile word, acting as both a verb and a noun to describe a mistake or error, usually in an informal context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While "flub" is common in news and media, it's important to use more formal alternatives like "error" or "mistake" in professional settings. Remember to use "flubbed" for past actions. Ludwig examples showcase its application in various situations, from political gaffes to sports mishaps, reinforcing its role as a casual way to acknowledge errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goof up

Indicates making a silly or clumsy mistake. It is very similar to "flub" in tone and meaning.

mess up

A very general term for making a mistake, similar to "flub" but slightly more versatile.

slip up

Implies a minor, often unintentional mistake. It is similar to "flub" in its informality.

make a blunder

Indicates a significant mistake, often due to carelessness or poor judgment. It carries a slightly more formal tone.

commit an error

A general term for making a mistake. It lacks the casual connotation of "flub".

fumble

Suggests handling something clumsily or ineptly, often physically. It can also apply metaphorically to non-physical situations.

botch

Indicates ruining something through incompetence or carelessness. It implies a more severe level of failure than "flub".

drop the ball

Suggests failing to fulfill a responsibility or task, especially at a crucial moment. Its usage is more specific to situations involving duty.

mishandle

Implies managing something poorly or inappropriately, leading to a negative outcome.

make a boo-boo

An informal term suggesting a small, easily correctable error. It carries a childish or lighthearted tone.

FAQs

How to use "flub" in a sentence?

You can use "flub" to describe making a mistake or error, such as, "He "flubbed" his lines during the play" or "The team's "flub" cost them the game".

What can I say instead of "flub"?

You can use alternatives like "blunder", "error", "mistake", or "goof up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "flub" or "flubbed"?

"Flub" is the base form of the verb, while "flubbed" is the past tense and past participle. Use "flubbed" when describing a past action.

What's the difference between "flub" and "blunder"?

"Flub" typically refers to a minor mistake or slip-up, often in a casual context. "Blunder" suggests a more significant and often more consequential mistake.