student asking question

What does "blunder" mean? Is there any other word that is used more frequently?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Blunder" is used to describe a stupid, careless mistake. You can also use "mistake," "error," or "gaffe" to express the same meaning. Ex: The new employee called the business partner by the wrong name, and was later reprimanded for her blunder. Ex: John does not have a detail-oriented personality, so he often makes careless blunders at work. When "blunder" is used with "around" to create "blunder around," the meaning changes. To "blunder around" means to move or walk around in a clumsy or unsteady manner. Mycroft has used "most people blunder around this city" to metaphorically state that many people in this city seem lost, as they fumble around clumsily without a proper sense of direction. Ex: The light is broken in the bathroom, so I have to blunder around in the dark. Ex: I felt lightheaded after waking up and blundered around the house.

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