English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Faux pas
Meaning
The idiom "faux pas" is French in origin and literally means "false step". In English, it refers to a social blunder or an error in behavior that can be considered inappropriate or offensive.
Usage
- After the faux pas at the party, I was really embarrassed and didn't know what to do.
- He made a terrible faux pas by complimenting her on her weight.
- The hostess made a faux pas when she spilled red wine on the white carpet.
- She couldn't help but make a faux pas by saying something rude about his religion.
- The politician made a faux pas by admitting that he had lied in a previous statement.
Roots and History
The idiom "faux pas" has its roots in French culture and language. It was first used in the 18th century to refer to an error or mistake in social behavior. Over time, it became a common idiom used to describe any social blunder that could be considered inappropriate or offensive. In English, the phrase was first adopted in the early 20th century and has since become a widely used idiom to describe such situations.
Synonyms in English
- Blunder
- Faux pas
- Mistake
- Error
- Misjudgment
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: "error"
- Italian: "errore"
- German: "Fehler"
- Japanese: "エラー"
- Portuguese: "erro"