WordGarden.ioclanger
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /klˈæŋɡə/
US
Meanings
Noun
an embarrassing mistake or awkward remark
a loud, ringing metallic sound
a regional British dumpling or filled pastry
Beyond the definition
A "clanger" can be a loud, resonant noise—think of heavy metal objects crashing together. However, it is most famously used as British slang for a serious blunder or an embarrassing mistake. If you accidentally reveal a secret during an important meeting, you've "dropped a right clanger." The term evokes the jarring, undeniable sound of a heavy object hitting the floor, making an error impossible to ignore. You might hear someone say, "That was a bit of a clanger!" after a particularly awkward social gaffe.
The word "clanger" is delightfully versatile, with roots in both physical sounds and social mishaps. Originally, a clanger referred to the loud, ringing sound made by striking metal—think of a blacksmith hammering away at a forge or church bells resonating powerfully. This literal meaning still exists, evoking images of sudden, metallic reverberations that demand attention.
However, "clanger" has taken on a life of its own in British English as a term for a significant blunder or an embarrassing faux pas. It is a stronger term than a simple "error"; it implies a failure that is particularly clumsy, noticeable, or public. Imagine a politician making a disastrously ill-timed statement during a televised interview—that would be described as a "huge clanger."
The connection between the sound and the mistake lies in the jarring, disruptive nature of both. A loud clang is unexpected and often unpleasant, just like a social blunder. In common usage, people often "drop a clanger," meaning they make a mistake so loud and obvious it couldn't be hidden. It is often used with a touch of humor or self-deprecation, acknowledging the scale of the error while slightly softening its impact. Whether you are describing a resounding metallic ring or a spectacularly clumsy social slip-up, "clanger" is a word that packs a punch.
Examples
- 1
Workplace mistake
He dropped a clanger in the meeting by thanking the wrong client.
- Phrasedrop a clanger
make an obvious embarrassing mistake
- 2
Failed joke
Her joke about the budget cuts was a real clanger, and nobody laughed.
- 3
Politics
The minister has made a series of clangers this year, which has damaged his public image.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- faux pas
- howler
- slip-up
Contrast
- tact
- masterstroke
Used with (collocations)
- drop a clanger
- absolute clanger
Explore
- social embarrassment
- tactlessness
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- clangernoun