miscue

¹

[ mis-kyoo ]

noun

1. Sports. a failure to execute a play, stroke, or maneuver properly; an error.
2. Informal. a mistake.
3. Informal. to make a mistake.
4. Theater. to fail to answer one's cue or to answer another's cue.

verb (used with object)

, mis·cued, mis·cu·ing.

1. to give the wrong cue to.

miscue

²

[ mis-kyoo ]

noun

1. a stroke in which the cue fails to make solid contact with the cue ball.

verb (used without object)

, mis·cued, mis·cu·ing.

1. to make a miscue.

miscue

/ ˌmɪsˈkjuː /

noun

1. billiards a faulty stroke in which the cue tip slips off the cue ball or misses it altogether
2. informal.
   a blunder or mistake

verb

1. intr billiards to make a miscue
2. intr theatre to fail to answer one's own cue or answer the cue of another
3. radio to start (a record or tape) at the wrong point
4. informal.
   intr to blunder

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscue¹

First recorded in 1880–85; mis- ¹ + cue ¹

Origin of miscue²

First recorded in 1870–75; mis- ¹ + cue ²

Example Sentences

The Bruins hadn’t been able to do nearly as much with the 24 turnovers they forced against the Lobos, those miscues translating to just 15 points.

From Los Angeles Times

However, they hung in there to the end in all five despite a litany of miscues.

From Los Angeles Times

The octogenarian president’s bent posture and halted speaking manner didn’t reassure many Democrats, even as they pointed to the many verbal miscues of Trump, just three years his junior.

From Los Angeles Times

After the miscue, Dicker rebounded by making his next two extra points and adding a 29-yard field goal, along with the 46-yarder he hit before the missed PAT.

From Los Angeles Times

The rare miscue from the sure-handed utility man did not cost the Dodgers, as the next batter, Jazz Chisholm Jr., grounded out to end the inning, and Edman’s evening got progressively better from there.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blooper
• mistake