faux pas

American  

[foh pah] / foʊ ˈpɑ /

noun

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

The only real faux pas, according to Lizzie Dushaj, is blandness.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

She was quick to try to clean up her faux pas, claiming she had skipped over the section because her statement was running long, but no one believed it.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

Steve Carell’s character in the likable, watchable and even lovable “Rooster” is classic Steve Carell: Self-aware, charming, boyish, incapable of reading a room, sidestepping a faux pas or calculating nuance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Although they have committed American tourist faux pas like their characters, Crano and Craig said the adoption story is the most true-to-life aspect of the movie.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025

I felt extremely shy, wary of committing a faux pas, and unequipped to participate in the high-flown and rapid-fire conversations.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela