social gaffe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social gaffe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a mistake or blunder in a social situation, often involving a breach of etiquette or social norms. Example: "During the dinner party, he made a social gaffe by asking the host about their recent divorce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This is the social gaffe that journalist Andrew Brown makes - repeatedly - in his unfashionably moderate account of Sweden.

The Guardian - Books

What are you going to do now, Marlene?" It was as if she'd committed some awful social gaffe.

The Guardian

Besides, he said, he has seen any number of colleagues lose out on promotions or flunk job interviews because of some social gaffe or another.

The New York Times

The hostess foisted a social gaffe on her friends — I assume you and your partner were not the only ones to dress to the nines for the occasion — and frankly I see it as their problem.

The New York Times

Agar determines that stagecoach journeys of the 19th century were full of chatter, but that the railway induced general silence because of the difficulty of knowing who one's fellow passengers were, and so the possibility of committing a social gaffe.

The Guardian - Books

My then embarrassment has continued to embarrass me for decades: how restricted it was, both by class and convention, and how readily it responded to a dropped aitch or a harmless social gaffe.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A pathetic attempt at recovery, which so often follows our social gaffes.

The New York Times

But how many free passes on social gaffes do we give them?

The New York Times - Style

Awash in spreadsheets, rigidly scheduled "body-maintenance tasks" and social gaffes galore, a society of Don Tillmans would actually be unbearable.

The Washington Post

H.M. Bateman, in full Henry Mayo Bateman (born February 15 , 1887 Sutton Forest, New South Wales, Australia died February 13 , 1970 Malta) cartoonist known for narrative cartoons and for cartoons of situations involving social gaffes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

O'Malley is careless of his own property and mortified at finding not only that he has been taken advantage of, but that he has committed social gaffes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "social gaffe", provide specific details about the situation and the actions that constituted the error. This helps the reader understand the context and the severity of the mistake.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone committed a "social gaffe" without explaining what they did. Always clarify the specific action or statement that was inappropriate or offensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social gaffe" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing specific instances of social errors or blunders. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Books

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Film

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "social gaffe" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to an embarrassing mistake or blunder in a social situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It's frequently found in news and media, books, and encyclopedias, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Related phrases include "social faux pas" and "social blunder", offering nuanced alternatives. When using the phrase, it is essential to provide specific details about the situation to enhance clarity and impact. Being mindful of the context and audience ensures effective communication and avoids misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social faux pas

Emphasizes a breach of etiquette or manners.

social blunder

Highlights a clumsy or careless mistake in a social setting.

breach of etiquette

Focuses specifically on violating established rules of polite behavior.

etiquette violation

Similar to breach of etiquette, but with a slightly more formal tone.

social misstep

Suggests a minor error in judgment within a social interaction.

tactless remark

Highlights the saying of something inappropriate or insensitive.

awkward moment

Refers to a situation causing discomfort or embarrassment.

inappropriate behavior

A broad term for actions that are unsuitable in a social context.

lack of social grace

Points out a deficiency in social skills or manners.

clumsy social move

Highlights a social action that is inept or awkward.

FAQs

How to use "social gaffe" in a sentence?

You can use "social gaffe" to describe an embarrassing mistake made in a social situation. For instance, "Asking about her ex-husband at the wedding was a major social gaffe."

What can I say instead of "social gaffe"?

You can use alternatives like "social faux pas", "social blunder", or "breach of etiquette" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "social gaffe" and "social faux pas"?

"Social gaffe" generally refers to any awkward or embarrassing mistake in a social situation. "Social faux pas" is more specifically a breach of etiquette or manners. While similar, a faux pas implies a violation of a social rule.

Is "social gaffe" formal or informal?

"Social gaffe" is considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, phrases like "breach of etiquette" might be preferred.