clanger
noun
Clanger — a conspicuous mistake whose consequences echo long afterward
Definition
A conspicuous mistake whose effects seem to reverberate; "he dropped a clanger"
In depth
A clanger is a conspicuous mistake whose effects seem to reverberate, the word carrying a distinctly British flavor and a vivid auditory metaphor, suggesting an error loud and significant enough to be heard, noticed, and remembered well beyond the moment it occurred. The fixed phrase 'drop a clanger' remains common in British informal speech.
Origin
The word draws on 'clang,' an onomatopoeic term for a loud, resonant metallic sound, suggesting the mistake reverberates loudly and unmistakably, much like a struck bell, impossible to quietly ignore or immediately forget once it has occurred.
Usage examples
"He dropped a clanger during the otherwise smooth negotiation, mentioning a confidential detail he clearly hadn't meant to share."
"The minister's clanger dominated headlines for days, overshadowing every other aspect of an otherwise successful policy announcement."
"She still cringed recalling the clanger she had dropped at her very first professional dinner."
How to use it
Clanger is informal British vocabulary, particularly common in the idiom 'drop a clanger,' useful for describing a conspicuous, often verbal mistake whose embarrassing consequences linger well beyond the initial moment.
Related concepts
Looking for a word but don't know its name?
Try the Word Finder →