pratfall

[prat-fawl]

noun

1. a fall in which one lands on the buttocks, often regarded as comical or humiliating.

2. a humiliating blunder or defeat.

pratfall

/ ˈprætˌfɔːl /

noun

1. slang,  a fall upon one's buttocks

Word History and Origins

Origin of pratfall¹

First recorded in 1935–40; prat + fall

Word History and Origins

Origin of pratfall¹

C20: from C16 prat buttocks (of unknown origin) + _fall

Example Sentences

The bet lasted barely 90 feet, as Roberts stumbled and face-planted just past second base, a pratfall which was captured on social media and celebrated by his laughing players.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Roberts also looked brilliant, as his pratfall injected some necessary lightness into the darkening team mood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The first series, which aired in 1975, failed to win huge audiences but, as it continued, its hilarious mix of absurd pratfalls and embarrassing situations grew in popularity.

Read more on BBC

He went on to suggest an improvement to one of Ms. Thompson’s lines and add a little pratfall at the end, and the set brightened with laughter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There are two vomit scenes and a pratfall where Colman lands on her face.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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