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gaffe

gaffe, blunder

noun GAHF Rare
Communication Expressions

Origin: French gaffe, 'a hook; a clumsy mistake'.

Usage Note

Gaffe is a French loanword fully integrated into Italian. It is invariable — the plural is also gaffe (no final -s or -e added). Always feminine: una gaffe, le gaffe. The common phrase fare una gaffe means 'to make a gaffe', and it refers to a social blunder or tactless remark rather than a practical error.

Examples

"Ha fatto una gaffe imbarazzante durante la cena."

Natural Translation

He made an embarrassing gaffe during dinner.

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