Top 35 Slang For Mistake – Meaning & Usage

We’ve all had those moments where we slip up and make a mistake. Whether it’s a simple typo or a major blunder, we’ve got you covered with the top slang for mistake. From hilarious mishaps to cringe-worthy errors, this listicle is sure to make you laugh and maybe even relate to some of these epic fails. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this lighthearted exploration of the language we use to describe our slip-ups.

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1. Screw up

When someone makes a big mistake or messes something up, they can be said to have “screwed up.” This slang term is often used to describe errors or failures that have significant consequences.

For example, “I really screwed up that presentation at work. I forgot all my talking points.”
A friend might say, “Don’t screw up your chance to ask them out on a date.”
Someone might admit, “I screwed up and left my phone at home, so I missed an important call.”

2. Mess up

When someone makes a mistake or does something incorrectly, they can be said to have “messed up.” This slang term is often used to describe minor errors or blunders.

For instance, “I messed up the recipe and added too much salt.”
A student might say, “I messed up the math problem and got the wrong answer.”
A person might admit, “I messed up and forgot to pick up my friend from the airport.”

3. Blunder

When someone makes a careless or embarrassing mistake, it can be referred to as a “blunder.” This slang term is often used to describe errors that are obvious or easily avoidable.

For example, “He made a blunder by accidentally sending the email to the wrong recipient.”
A coworker might say, “I witnessed a blunder when he spilled coffee all over his laptop.”
A friend might laugh and say, “That was a blunder when you tripped and fell in front of everyone.”

4. Err

When someone makes a mistake or is incorrect about something, they can be said to have “erred.” This slang term is often used to describe minor mistakes or inaccuracies.

For instance, “I erred in my calculations and got the wrong result.”
A person might say, “I erred in thinking that the event was tomorrow instead of today.”
A teacher might correct a student by saying, “You erred in your spelling of that word.”

5. Slip up

When someone makes a minor mistake or error, they can be said to have “slipped up.” This slang term is often used to describe small errors or lapses in judgment.

For example, “I slipped up and accidentally deleted an important file.”
A friend might say, “I slipped up and forgot to bring your book back.”
Someone might admit, “I slipped up and said something I shouldn’t have during the meeting.”

6. Cock up

This is a British slang term that means to make a mistake or mess something up. It is often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner.

For example, “I really cocked up that presentation. I forgot all my notes!”
A person might say, “I made a real cock up of my dinner. It turned out burnt and inedible.”
In a conversation about mishaps, someone might say, “I heard you had a bit of a cock up with your car. What happened?”

7. Fuck up

This is a vulgar slang term that means to make a serious mistake or completely ruin something. It is considered offensive and should be used with caution.

For instance, “I really fucked up my relationship. I cheated on my partner.”
A person might say, “I can’t believe I fucked up the presentation. I was so nervous that I forgot everything.”
In a conversation about failures, someone might say, “I feel like I’ve fucked up every opportunity that’s come my way.”

8. Miscalculate

This term means to make an error in calculating or estimating something. It refers to a mistake in judgment or assessment of a situation.

For example, “I miscalculated the distance and ended up running an extra mile.”
A person might say, “I miscalculated the cost of the project, and now we’re over budget.”
In a discussion about strategic planning, someone might say, “We can’t afford to miscalculate the potential risks and rewards of this decision.”

9. Foul up

To foul up means to make a mistake or error that leads to a failure or negative outcome. It can also refer to interfering with or disrupting a situation.

For instance, “I fouled up the recipe and ended up with a burnt mess.”
A person might say, “I really fouled up my chance to impress the boss. I made a major error in my presentation.”
In a conversation about sports, someone might say, “The player fouled up the game by making a critical mistake in the final minutes.”

10. Drop a clanger

This is a British slang term that means to make a big and embarrassing mistake. It is often used in a light-hearted or humorous manner.

For example, “I dropped a clanger by accidentally sending the email to the wrong person.”
A person might say, “I made a real clanger by forgetting my lines during the play.”
In a conversation about funny mishaps, someone might say, “I heard you dropped a clanger at the party. What happened?”

11. Slip

A slip refers to a small, unintentional mistake or error. It can also refer to a momentary lapse in judgment or a minor blunder.

For example, “I made a slip and accidentally sent the email to the wrong person.”
In a conversation about a sports game, someone might say, “The goalie made a slip and let the ball go past him.”
A person might admit, “I had a slip and ate a piece of cake even though I’m on a diet.”

12. Misjudging

Misjudging refers to making an incorrect assessment or evaluation. It implies that someone made an error in judgment or misunderstood a situation.

For instance, “I misjudged the distance and swung too early during the golf game.”
In a discussion about someone’s character, a person might say, “I misjudged him at first, but he turned out to be really kind.”
A teacher might say, “I misjudged the difficulty of the test and it ended up being too easy for the students.”

13. Fault

Fault refers to taking responsibility for a mistake or error. It implies acknowledging that the mistake was one’s own and accepting the consequences.

For example, “It’s my fault that I forgot to pick up the groceries.”
In a discussion about a failed project, someone might say, “The fault lies with the team leader for not providing clear instructions.”
A person might apologize by saying, “I take full fault for my actions and I’m sorry for the harm I caused.”

14. Stumble

Stumble refers to making a minor mistake or error, often due to a momentary lapse in coordination or focus. It can also refer to experiencing difficulty or setbacks in achieving a goal.

For instance, “I stumbled over my words during the presentation and lost my train of thought.”
In a conversation about a job interview, someone might say, “I stumbled on one of the interview questions and couldn’t come up with a good answer.”
A person might describe their journey to success by saying, “I stumbled along the way, but I never gave up.”

15. Inaccuracy

Inaccuracy refers to a lack of precision or correctness. It implies that something is not completely accurate or true.

For example, “There are several inaccuracies in the historical documentary.”
In a discussion about a news article, someone might point out, “The information presented in the article contains inaccuracies.”
A person might admit, “I apologize for the inaccuracy in my previous statement. The correct information is…”

16. Slip-up

A slip-up is a small mistake or error that is usually unintentional. It can refer to a minor blunder or oversight.

For example, “I made a slip-up and sent the email to the wrong person.”
In a conversation about cooking, someone might say, “I had a slip-up and accidentally added too much salt.”
A person might admit, “I had a slip-up and forgot to pick up the dry cleaning.”

17. Blooper

A blooper is a noticeable mistake or error, often in a public or professional setting. It is typically associated with humorous or embarrassing situations.

For instance, in a blooper reel from a TV show, you might see actors forgetting their lines or tripping over props.
During a live sports broadcast, a commentator might say, “That was a major blooper by the quarterback.”
A person might share a funny story and say, “I had a blooper moment when I accidentally wore mismatched shoes to work.”

18. Snafu

Snafu stands for “Situation Normal: All Fucked Up” and is used to describe a situation that is chaotic or in disarray. It implies that things are not going according to plan.

For example, “The project turned into a snafu when key team members quit.”
In a discussion about travel, someone might say, “My flight was canceled and it caused a snafu with my vacation plans.”
A person might complain, “I had a snafu with my computer and lost all my important files.”

19. Oopsie

Oopsie is a lighthearted and informal term used to refer to a small or accidental mistake. It is often used in a playful or self-deprecating manner.

For instance, if someone drops a plate and it shatters, they might say, “Oopsie, I guess I should have been more careful.”
In a conversation about baking, someone might say, “I added too much baking powder and had a major oopsie with the cake.”
A person might laugh and say, “Oopsie, I forgot my keys and locked myself out of the house.”

20. Bungle

To bungle means to mess up or make a mistake, typically by doing something clumsily or ineptly. It implies a lack of skill or competence in performing a task.

For example, “He bungled the presentation by forgetting his main points.”
In a discussion about sports, someone might say, “The goalkeeper bungled the save and let the opposing team score.”
A person might admit, “I bungled the interview by arriving late and forgetting to bring my resume.”

21. Boo-boo

A boo-boo is a small mistake or error, often unintentional and without serious consequences. It is a lighthearted term used to describe a minor mishap or blunder.

For example, a parent might say to a child who made a small error, “It’s okay, everyone makes boo-boos sometimes.”
In a casual conversation, someone might admit, “I made a boo-boo and accidentally deleted all my files.”
A person might jokingly say, “I made a boo-boo and wore mismatched socks today.”

22. Mishap

A mishap refers to an unfortunate or unexpected incident, often resulting in a mistake or problem. It is a general term used to describe an accident or misfortune.

For instance, if someone spills their drink, they might say, “Oops, that was a mishap.”
In a workplace setting, a coworker might say, “We had a mishap with the printer, so we need to get it fixed.”
A person might explain, “I had a mishap and missed my flight because of traffic.”

23. Misstep

A misstep refers to an unwise or ill-considered action or decision. It describes a mistake or error in judgment, often resulting in negative consequences.

For example, if someone makes a social faux pas, they might say, “I made a misstep by bringing up a sensitive topic.”
In a sports context, a commentator might say, “That misstep cost the team the game.”
A person might reflect on their mistake and say, “I realize now that it was a misstep to trust that person.”

24. Slip of the tongue

A slip of the tongue refers to an unintentional error in speech, often resulting in saying something unintended or inappropriate. It describes a mistake made while speaking.

For instance, if someone accidentally says the wrong name, they might say, “Oops, that was a slip of the tongue.”
During a public speaking event, a speaker might apologize for a slip of the tongue and clarify their intended statement.
A person might explain, “I made a slip of the tongue and accidentally revealed a secret.”

25. Miscalculation

A miscalculation refers to an incorrect or inaccurate calculation or estimation. It describes a mistake made in mathematical or strategic calculations.

For example, if someone adds up numbers incorrectly, they might say, “That was a miscalculation on my part.”
In a business context, a manager might admit, “We made a miscalculation in our budget projections.”
A person might reflect on their mistake and say, “I realize now that it was a miscalculation to underestimate the time needed for the project.”

26. Oversight

An oversight refers to a mistake or error that occurs because someone did not pay enough attention or failed to notice something important.

For example, “The project was delayed due to an oversight in the planning phase.”
A supervisor might say, “I apologize for the oversight. We will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
In a meeting, someone might point out, “I think there was an oversight in the budget calculations.”

27. Snag

A snag is a mistake or problem that arises unexpectedly, causing a delay or disruption in progress.

For instance, “We hit a snag in the production process when a crucial machine broke down.”
Someone might say, “I thought everything was going smoothly, but we encountered a snag along the way.”
In a discussion about a failed project, a team member might admit, “There were several snags that we didn’t anticipate.”

28. Go astray

When something goes astray, it means that it has deviated from its intended path or plan, resulting in a mistake or error.

For example, “The package went astray and was delivered to the wrong address.”
A traveler might say, “I took the wrong turn and my journey went astray.”
In a conversation about a failed business venture, someone might admit, “Our initial strategy went astray, and we couldn’t recover.”

29. Error

Error is a general term that refers to a mistake or inaccuracy in any context.

For instance, “There was an error in the calculations, and the results were incorrect.”
A software developer might say, “I found an error in the code that caused the program to crash.”
In a discussion about a misprinted document, someone might point out, “There are several errors in this report.”

30. Faux pas

Faux pas refers to a socially embarrassing or tactless mistake, often related to social norms or etiquette.

For example, “He made a faux pas by wearing casual clothes to a formal event.”
Someone might say, “Stepping on the bride’s dress was a major faux pas at the wedding.”
In a conversation about cultural differences, a person might mention, “It’s important to be aware of local customs to avoid committing a faux pas.”

31. Misjudgment

This refers to making a mistake or error in assessing a situation or making a decision based on incorrect or incomplete information.

For example, “His misjudgment of the market led to financial losses.”
A person might admit, “I made a misjudgment about her intentions.”
In a sports context, a commentator might say, “That was a misjudgment of the opponent’s speed.”

32. Goof-up

A goof-up is a casual term used to describe a small, silly mistake or blunder. It implies a lighthearted or non-serious error.

For instance, “I made a goof-up and sent the email to the wrong person.”
A person might say, “I goofed up the recipe by adding too much salt.”
In a conversation about a clumsy action, someone might say, “I had a goof-up and dropped my phone in the pool.”

33. Fluff

Fluff refers to a minor mistake or error, typically in written or spoken language. It can include things like grammatical errors, typos, or small inaccuracies.

For example, “I noticed a few fluffs in your report.”
A person might say, “I accidentally fluffed my lines during the play.”
In a discussion about proofreading, someone might mention, “It’s important to catch any fluffs before publishing.”

34. Botch

To botch something means to mess it up or bungle it. It implies a significant mistake or failure, often resulting in a negative outcome.

For instance, “He botched the job by using the wrong materials.”
A person might admit, “I completely botched my presentation and lost the client.”
In a discussion about a failed project, someone might say, “The team botched the implementation and caused a major setback.”

35. Snarl

Snarl can refer to a mistake or error that causes a tangle or confusion. It implies a situation where things become twisted or disorganized.

For example, “The miscommunication snarled the entire project.”
A person might say, “I snarled the wires while trying to fix the computer.”
In a discussion about a traffic jam, someone might mention, “An accident further snarled the already congested roads.”