clanger

[klang-er]

noun

1. a person or thing that clangs.

2. British Slang.,  a blunder; faux pas.

clanger

/ ˈklæŋə /

noun

1. informal,  a conspicuous mistake (esp in the phrase drop a clanger )

2. something that clangs or causes a clang

Word History and Origins

Origin of clanger¹

First recorded in 1945–50; clang + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of clanger¹

C20: from _clang , referring to a mistake whose effects seem to clang

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. drop a clanger, to blunder.

Example Sentences

She even pulls off lines that should be clangers: “I really hope we don’t die in a land mine today.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Here’s a clanger,” Sydney said, noticing an obvious mistake.

Read more on Literature

Its flowers are extravagant, with an extra-long, maroon-purple clanger dangling from each fuchsia bell; its distinctive leaves are heart shaped, with toothed edges.

Read more on Seattle Times

Scandal followed him as closely as adulation, as Warne took money from illegal bookmakers, was banned for using prohibited drugs and sailed through gossip-column indiscretions and social media clangers.

Read more on BBC

"Occasionally he came out with a real clanger, but mostly he was just trying to be pleasant and light-hearted," she added in a BBC Radio Devon interview.

Read more on BBC