bungle
C1Informal, often humorous or critical.
Definition
Meaning
To carry out a task clumsily or incompetently, resulting in failure or a mistake.
To spoil something through a lack of skill or care, often in a publicly noticeable or embarrassing way; can also refer to a botched job or situation itself (noun).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a failure that is due to incompetence, carelessness, or a lack of proper planning, rather than bad luck. Often used for tasks that should be straightforward.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British media commentary.
Connotations
Same connotations of incompetence and humorous failure in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both; slightly higher in UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] bungles [object][Subject] bungles [prep. phrase] (e.g., bungle on the details)It was a (complete) bungle.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make a bungle of something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to criticise failed projects, poor management, or botched negotiations. 'The merger was bungled from the start.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in political science or history to describe policy failures.
Everyday
Common for describing DIY disasters, cooking failures, or simple task errors. 'I completely bungled putting up the shelves.'
Technical
Not typical in technical contexts; would imply gross professional error.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council bungled the bin collection changes, causing chaos.
- He bungled his lines in the school play.
American English
- The police bungled the evidence collection.
- Don't bungle this simple repair job.
adverb
British English
- The plan was bunglingly executed.
American English
- The team proceeded bunglingly through the first phase.
adjective
British English
- A bungled attempt at a surprise party left everyone confused.
- It was a classic bungled operation.
American English
- The bungled rollout cost the company millions.
- He gave a bungled explanation that satisfied no one.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I bungled the recipe and the cake was flat.
- Their first meeting was a bit of a bungle.
- The government has been accused of bungling the economic response.
- It was a bureaucratic bungle of the highest order.
- The prosecution's case collapsed after they bungled a key piece of forensic evidence.
- His bungling efforts at diplomacy only inflamed the situation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUNch of peoPLE dropping things and making a mess – they BUNGLE the job.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCOMPETENCE IS CLUMSY PHYSICAL MANIPULATION (fumbling, dropping).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'to bundle' (связывать).
- Не является прямым эквивалентом 'провалить' (to fail) – акцент на неуклюжести и некомпетентности.
- Ближе по смыслу к 'завалить', 'накосячить', 'сплоховать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bungle' for natural disasters or unavoidable failures (incorrect).
- Confusing spelling with 'bung' or 'bundle'.
- Using in overly formal contexts where 'mishandle' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is the use of 'bungle' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and often carries a humorous or critical tone. In formal writing, 'mishandle', 'botch', or 'mismanage' might be preferred.
Yes, though less common than the verb. It means 'a task or situation that has been badly handled'. Example: 'The new software launch was a complete bungle.'
They are very close synonyms. 'Bungle' often emphasises clumsiness and incompetence, while 'botch' can imply a more irreversible, messy spoiling. They are frequently interchangeable.
Yes, 'bungler' is the correct agent noun for a person who habitually bungles things.