a fall onto one's buttocks, a humiliating or embarrassing error or failure

Formal and Informal Expressions of pratfall

In different contexts, you can replace 'pratfall' with suitable alternatives. In a more informal setting, 'blooper, screw-up' is apt.

pratfall: Explore its Definition & Usage

pratfall Definition

1a fall onto one's buttocks
2a humiliating or embarrassing error or failure

Using pratfall: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pratfall" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
He slipped on the banana peel and took a pratfall.
Example
The politician's speech was a pratfall that cost him the election.
Example
The comedian's act included many pratfalls and physical gags.

pratfall Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for pratfall

Phrases with pratfall

take a pratfall
to fall onto one's buttocks in a humorous or embarrassing way
Example
The clown took a pratfall and the audience roared with laughter.
pull a pratfall
to intentionally fall onto one's buttocks in a humorous or exaggerated way
Example
The actor pulled a pratfall during the play's final scene.
pratfall comedy
a type of comedy that involves physical humor, especially falls and stumbles
Example
The Three Stooges were famous for their pratfall comedy.

Origins of pratfall

from 'prat', meaning buttocks, and 'fall'

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Summary: pratfall in Brief

'Pratfall' [prat-fawl] refers to a fall onto one's buttocks, often used in comedic contexts. It can also mean a humiliating or embarrassing mistake or failure, as in 'The politician's speech was a pratfall that cost him the election.' 'Pratfall' is associated with phrases like 'take a pratfall,' which describes falling in a humorous or embarrassing way, and 'pratfall comedy,' which involves physical humor.