clanger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/LowInformal, idiomatic, primarily British.
Quick answer
What does “clanger” mean?
A serious, embarrassing, or foolish mistake, often one made in speech.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A serious, embarrassing, or foolish mistake, often one made in speech.
Can refer to something that is conspicuously wrong, like a musical wrong note; also a specific British dish (steak and kidney pudding).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Word is primarily British/Australian. The concept is understood in American English but the specific word 'clanger' is rarely used. Americans might say 'blooper' or 'faux pas'.
Connotations
In British English, it often carries a humorous, self-deprecating tone. In other dialects, it's more of a direct description of a mistake.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech, especially the phrase 'drop a clanger'. Very low to zero frequency in US speech.
Grammar
How to Use “clanger” in a Sentence
to drop a clangerto make a clangerWhat a clanger!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clanger” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – used in phrase 'to drop a clanger'.
American English
- N/A – not used.
adverb
British English
- N/A – no adverbial form.
American English
- N/A – not used.
adjective
British English
- N/A – no adjectival form.
American English
- N/A – not used.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, but used in informal office contexts: 'He dropped a clanger in the meeting by revealing the confidential figures.'
Academic
Almost never used.
Everyday
Common in informal British conversation about social mistakes: 'I really dropped a clanger when I asked about her ex-husband.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clanger”
- Using it as a verb: *'I clangered yesterday.' (Incorrect). The verb is 'drop'.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming Americans will understand it readily.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's not recommended. While some might understand it from context, it sounds distinctly foreign. Use 'blunder', 'gaffe', or 'faux pas' instead.
Predominantly, yes. You can say 'make a clanger' or just 'What a clanger!', but 'drop a clanger' is the most frequent and natural collocation.
A 'clanger' implies a greater degree of social embarrassment and foolishness. It's a mistake you wish you could take back immediately because it was so obvious or inappropriate.
Yes, 'clangers' is used, often humorously: 'He's dropped so many clangers this week.'
Clanger is usually informal, idiomatic, primarily british. in register.
Clanger: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklæŋ.ə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklæŋ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drop a clanger”
- “put your foot in it (near-synonymous phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a loud CLANG from a bell – a 'clanger' is a mistake so bad it makes a mental CLANG of embarrassment.
Conceptual Metaphor
MISTAKES ARE LOUD NOISES (a 'clanger' disrupts social harmony audibly).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'clanger'?