faux pas

[ foh pah ]

noun

, plural faux pas [foh , pahz, foh , pah].

1. a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.

   Synonyms: impropriety, error

faux pas

/ ˌfəʊ ˈpɑː; fo pɑ /

noun

1. a social blunder or indiscretion

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux pas¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from French: literally, “false step”

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux pas¹

C17: from French: false step

Example Sentences

Courtiers could relax, knowing they would not inadvertently commit a faux pas and nor would anyone else, and the rulers could relax, knowing that none of their courtiers were spreading misinformation or plotting against them.

From Popular-Science

She eventually makes it to the estate, very, very late—she has arrived after the queen, an enormous faux pas, and it’s clear the whole family has their knives out for her, anyway.

From Time

I would like to know how best to let them know that afterward, that I recognized my faux pas of overstaying my welcome and that I am truly sorry.

From Washington Post

But publicly throwing shade at Louis Vuitton wasn't Kanye's first fashion faux pas.

From The Daily Beast

Its addictive “sidebar of shame” catalogues every celebrity roll of fat, fashion faux pas, and shaky early-morning nightclub exit.

From The Daily Beast

The way Grant spun his publicity faux pas paved the way for many celebrities after him.

From The Daily Beast

Another faux pas: tourists sit on towels and locals never do (they sit on their sarongs or on beach chairs).

From The Daily Beast

Forget the faux pas of showing up to a costume party in the same costume as someone else.

From The Daily Beast

A sledging cook will often make a disagreeable faux pas by extinguishing the primus in the preparation of hoosh.

From Project Gutenberg

Tilliard blushed, partly on account of the faux pas he had made last June, partly on account of the restaurant.

From Project Gutenberg

In a strange house it would have been simply a faux pas, but he knows us well enough, and the arrangement between us.

From Project Gutenberg

As if I were the only member of the Unholy Six with a capacity to make faux pas!

From Project Gutenberg

These are gentlemen in a true sense, that can bare to be told of their faux pas, and not abuse the reprover.

From Project Gutenberg