pratfall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “pratfall” mean?
A fall onto the buttocks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fall onto the buttocks; a humiliating failure or blunder.
In comedy, a physical stunt where someone falls for humorous effect; broadly, any embarrassing mistake or failure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'prat' is more common in British slang, but 'pratfall' is used in both varieties with similar meaning.
Connotations
In both, it implies embarrassment or humor, but in American English, it is strongly tied to slapstick comedy.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to its use in entertainment and media contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pratfall” in a Sentence
[subject] experience a pratfall[actor] execute a pratfall[event] lead to a pratfallVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pratfall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He pratfell during the rehearsal, causing much laughter.
American English
- The comedian pratfell on stage to enhance the comedy sketch.
adverb
British English
- He stumbled pratfallingly, but it was all part of the act.
American English
- She moved pratfallingly across the room, mimicking a comic scene.
adjective
British English
- The show included pratfall humour that appealed to all ages.
American English
- His pratfall routine was a hit with the audience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may refer to a failed project or embarrassing error in a professional setting.
Academic
Occasionally used in drama or film studies to analyze physical comedy techniques.
Everyday
Informal term for describing an embarrassing fall or mistake in social situations.
Technical
In theater or comedy, denotes a specific type of staged fall for humorous effect.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pratfall”
- Using 'pratfall' in formal writing.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the second syllable, e.g., /prætˈfɔːl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a standard but informal word, commonly understood in both British and American English.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically to describe any humiliating failure or blunder, not just physical falls.
It originates from early 20th century American theater, combining 'prat' (slang for buttocks) and 'fall'.
Use it in informal contexts to describe embarrassing mistakes or physical comedy, ensuring correct pronunciation and register.
A fall onto the buttocks.
Pratfall is usually informal in register.
Pratfall: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpræt.fɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpræt.fɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull a pratfall”
- “take a pratfall”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PRAT' as a fool who FALLs down, creating a pratfall.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A PHYSICAL FALL; EMBARRASSMENT IS LOSING BALANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of a pratfall?