blunder
gb/blˈʌndɚ/ us/blˈʌndɚ/
B2
English
~ 9000
baklövés, nagyot hibázik, bakot lő, botorkál
NOUN
B2
1
baklövés
B2
Usage pattern:
to make [a] blunder
Calling her ex-boyfriend by her new partner’s name was an awkward social blunder.
Az, hogy a volt barátját az új párja nevén szólította, kínos társasági baklövés volt.
The company’s decision to ignore safety warnings turned out to be a costly blunder.
A vállalat azon döntése, hogy figyelmen kívül hagyta a biztonsági figyelmeztetéseket, költséges baklövésnek bizonyult.
His comment about her age was a major blunder that killed the mood of the meeting.
The coach admitted his tactical blunder after the team lost the final.
Publishing the report early was a political blunder that damaged the minister’s reputation.
Learner examples
I made a big blunder at work today.
Ma nagy baklövést követtem el a munkahelyemen.
Forgetting her birthday was a real blunder.
Igazi baklövés volt elfelejteni a születésnapját.
The driver’s blunder caused a long traffic jam.
His email was full of blunders.
That joke about money was a social blunder.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"do a blunder"* instead of the natural phrases *"make a blunder"* or simply *"blunder"* (verb). Another mistake is using "blunder" for any small mistake; in English it usually suggests a fairly serious or embarrassing error, not a tiny one like a spelling slip in a text message.
Meaning
stupid or careless mistake
Collocations
make a blunder
|a huge blunder
|a costly blunder
|an embarrassing blunder
|political blunder
|social blunder
Synonyms
mistake (Most general word; does not always suggest something serious or embarrassing the way "blunder" often does.)
|
error (More formal and often used in technical or written contexts; may sound less emotional than "blunder".)
|
slip-up (Informal and a bit softer; usually suggests a smaller or more forgivable mistake than a "blunder".)
Antonyms
success (A blunder is a failed or very poor action; a success is when something turns out well.)
|
good decision (Contrasts with a blunder, which is a very bad or foolish decision.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|communication
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A big and often embarrassing mistake, usually because someone was not careful or did not think well.
A serious or embarrassing mistake, usually caused by carelessness or poor judgment.
VERB
C1
2
bakot lő
B2
Usage pattern:
to blunder in/with [something]
The minister blundered when he revealed confidential details on live television.
A miniszter nagyot hibázott, amikor élő adásban bizalmas részleteket árult el.
She completely blundered her answer and lost the chance to get the scholarship.
Teljesen bakot lőtt a válaszával, és elvesztette az esélyét arra, hogy megkapja az ösztöndíjat.
The company blundered by ignoring early complaints from customers.
He tried to apologize but blundered again and made her even more upset.
If we blunder here, it could damage our reputation for years.
Learner examples
He blundered when he spoke to his boss.
Nagyot hibázott, amikor a főnökével beszélt.
The team blundered and lost an easy game.
A csapat nagyot hibázott, és elveszített egy könnyűnek ígérkező meccset.
I blundered by sending the email to the wrong person.
She blundered during the interview and said something rude.
The manager blundered by not checking the numbers.
Common mistake:
Learners often avoid the verb and instead use only the noun, saying things like *"He made a blunder mistake"*, which is incorrect double marking. Natural English is either *"He made a blunder"* or *"He blundered"*. Another issue is using it for tiny errors; "blunder" usually suggests something notably bad or embarrassing.
Meaning
to make a stupid mistake
Collocations
blunder badly
|blunder again
|blunder in negotiations
|blunder with figures
|blunder under pressure
|blunder badly on [an issue]
Synonyms
err (More formal and neutral; does not always carry the strong sense of foolishness that "blunder" has.)
|
mess up (Informal phrasal verb; similar idea but broader and less specifically about a foolish or thoughtless mistake.)
|
slip up (Informal and often implies a smaller or more accidental mistake than a "blunder".)
Antonyms
get it right (Directly contrasts with blundering, which is getting something wrong in a foolish way.)
|
handle well (Opposes the idea of dealing with something clumsily or foolishly.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do or say something very wrong or foolish because you are not careful or do not think enough.
To make a serious or embarrassing mistake through carelessness, poor judgment, or lack of thought.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
3
botorkál
B2
Usage pattern:
to blunder [adverb/place]
He blundered into a chair in the dark and nearly fell over.
A sötétben nekibotorkált egy széknek, és majdnem elesett.
The hikers blundered through the fog, unsure of where the path was.
A túrázók a ködben botorkáltak, és nem tudták biztosan, merre van az ösvény.
She blundered into the wrong office, startling everyone inside.
In the smoke, firefighters had to blunder forward, feeling the walls with their hands.
He woke up disoriented and blundered down the hallway toward the bathroom.
Learner examples
He blundered into the table in the dark.
A sötétben nekibotorkált az asztalnak.
The man blundered through the small door.
A férfi átbotorkált a kis ajtón.
They blundered around the room, looking for a light.
She blundered into the wrong classroom.
I blundered along the path because I could not see well.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with "wander". "Wander" means to walk without a clear plan, but it can be calm and relaxed. "Blunder" suggests clumsy, confused movement, often hitting things or going the wrong way. It is also less common and sounds a bit literary or descriptive, not everyday casual speech.
Meaning
to move clumsily, without control
Collocations
blunder into the room
|blunder around in the dark
|blunder through the forest
|blunder blindly forward
|blunder into obstacles
|blunder along the path
Synonyms
stumble (Emphasizes almost falling or losing balance; "blunder" focuses more on clumsy, confused movement overall.)
|
lumber (Suggests slow, heavy movement; "blunder" adds the idea of confusion or poor awareness.)
Antonyms
glide (Suggests smooth, controlled movement, the opposite of the clumsy motion in "blunder".)
|
move gracefully (Directly contrasts with the awkward and uncoordinated way someone blunders.)
Themes
daily life
|movement
|accidents
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To walk or move in a heavy, clumsy way, often because you cannot see or think clearly.
To move in a clumsy, noisy, or confused way, often without seeing clearly or knowing exactly where you are going.
Grammar
Dictionary form
blunder
IPA
GB/blˈʌndɚ/
US/blˈʌndɚ/
Syllables & stress
blun - der (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (blun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: blunder
- Plural: blunders
Verb
- Base: blunder
- 3rd Person Singular: blunders
- Present Participle: blundering
- Past: blundered
Word family
Forms
blunders
noun
blundering
verb
blundered
verb
Advanced or less common
blunderer
noun
Expressions
blunder into
1/blˈʌndɚ ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
enter or get involved by mistake
To enter a place or become involved in a situation without meaning to, usually because you are not careful or not paying attention.
Examples
- They blundered into a restricted military area without seeing the warning signs.
- She somehow blundered into the middle of a heated argument between her colleagues.
blunder on
1/blˈʌndɚ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
keep going in a clumsy way
To keep doing something or keep going, even though you are doing it badly or making mistakes.
Examples
- She blundered on with her speech, even after forgetting half of what she wanted to say.
- Instead of stopping to think, the government simply blundered on with the same failing policy.
blunder through
1/blˈʌndɚ θɹˈu/
phrasal verb
finish something awkwardly with errors
To do or finish something in a very clumsy way, making many mistakes but still reaching the end.
Examples
- He blundered through his presentation, misreading his notes and forgetting key points.
- I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I’ll just blunder through this form and hope it’s right.
social blunder
1/sˈoʊʃəl blˈʌndɚ/
fixed phrase
embarrassing mistake in social situations
An action or comment in a social situation that is very rude, awkward, or embarrassing by accident.
Examples
- Asking a woman if she is pregnant when she is not is a classic social blunder.
- He felt terrible after his social blunder at the dinner party, when he forgot the host’s name.