clanger

American  

[klang-er] / ˈklæŋ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that clangs.

2. British Slang. a blunder; faux pas.

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idioms

1. drop a clanger, to blunder.

clanger British  

/ ˈklæŋə /

noun

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

2. something that clangs or causes a clang

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Etymology

Origin of clanger

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From 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.

From Seattle Times

"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.

From BBC

"Some night he'll move and other nights he'll stand and play, Some nights he might be a bit out of it and drop the odd clanger but he never coasts."

From BBC