faux pas

American  

[foh pah] / foʊ ˈpɑ /

noun

plural

faux pas

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

   Synonyms:

   impropriety, error

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faux pas British  

/ fo pɑ, ˌfəʊ ˈpɑː /

noun

1. a social blunder or indiscretion

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Etymology

Origin of faux pas

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

Example Sentences

But sometimes that meant his aides had the job of risk management, having to explain statements that appeared to be a departure from what the Pope had previously said or a diplomatic faux pas.

From BBC

For centuries, appearing in public without the proper headgear was a faux pas.

From The Wall Street Journal

And then there is “faux pas,” which is an embarrassing blunder or lapse of good manners.

From Literature

Mr. Kerrigan’s faux pas could have been worse: He could have told his daughter that she was “one in a million”—which, in this country, means there are 347 others just like her.

From The Wall Street Journal

The perplexed look on her face instantly confirmed the faux pas.

From The Wall Street Journal