1169 Put your foot in your mouth

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[1169] Put your foot in your mouth

Explanation

To say something embarrassing, tactless, awkward, or inappropriate, usually unintentionally, that causes offense or social discomfort.

Origin

The idiom creates a vivid, physically awkward, and impossible image – trying to literally insert one's foot into one's own mouth.
This absurd imagery perfectly reflects the feeling of social awkwardness, regret, and self-reproach after realizing one has said something foolish, offensive, or inappropriate.
The expression seems to have emerged in the early 20th century, capturing this specific type of verbal blunder. Sometimes phrased as Open mouth, insert foot.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Said something stupid / Said something dumb
Blew it (Made a significant mistake, can apply to speech)
Screwed up (Made a mistake)
Tripped up (Made a mistake, often verbal)
Had word vomit (Said something regrettable without thinking)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Fucked up (General mistake, includes verbal ones)
Said some dumb shit / Said some stupid shit
Shoved my foot so far down my throat... (Exaggerated version for emphasis)

Milder/Formal:

Made an awkward comment / Made an unfortunate remark
Spoke indiscreetly / Was tactless
Committed a social error / Made a gaffe / Committed a faux pas
Misspeaked

Situational Appropriateness

Mostly used in informal and semi-formal contexts when recounting or discussing social errors.
While the *action* (making a gaffe) can occur in formal settings, describing it using this particular idiom might be too colloquial for a very formal report or debrief. Made an inappropriate remark or committed a gaffe would be more formal.

Misunderstanding Warnings

The literal interpretation is physically impossible, so the metaphorical meaning of saying something regrettable is usually understood clearly.

Examples

I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her job, not knowing she'd just been laid off.
He put his foot in his mouth by complaining about the cooking, unaware that his host had made the dish.
During the interview, I completely put my foot in my mouth when talking about my previous boss.

Dialogue

Sam: How did the dinner party at Jane's go last night?

Mia: It was mostly okay, but I totally put my foot in my mouth with her cousin.

Sam: Oh dear. What did you do?

Mia: I asked him when the baby was due... Turns out his wife isn't pregnant; she's just gained some weight. I wanted the ground to swallow me up!

Sam: Ouch! That is a major foot-in-mouth moment!

Response Patterns

Sympathy/Empathy: Oh no! How awkward. / Don't worry, it happens to everyone.
Curiosity: What did you say? / How did they react?
Mild amusement (if the blunder wasn't too serious): Oops! / Classic foot-in-mouth moment!
Advice: Maybe you should apologize or clarify.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone says they put their foot in their mouth:

Asking for details: Oh no, what happened? / What did you say exactly?
Expressing sympathy or shared embarrassment.
Discussing how the other person reacted.

The person who made the blunder might:

Explain the context and the embarrassing remark.
Express regret or embarrassment (I felt like such an idiot!).
Describe attempts to recover from the situation.

Conversation Starter

No. Describes a specific, usually embarrassing, past verbal mistake.

Intonation

Stress often falls on foot and mouth. Put your FOOT in your MOUTH.
Usually said with a tone of embarrassment, self-deprecation, regret, or when warning someone (Try not to put your foot in your mouth).

Generation Differences

Widely understood and used across generations.

Regional Variations

Common in all major English-speaking regions.

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