blow it »
To fail at something; to mess up; to make a mistake.
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coug it »
To suddenly lose a contest through reversal of fortune, mistakes, or bad judgment. The phrase is analogous to "blow it", or "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory".
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cough up »
To lose a competition by one's own mistakes, usually near the end of the contest.
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dead ringer »
Someone or something that very closely resembles another; someone or something easily mistaken for another.
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drive-by media »
Media professionals who "spray" a bunch of repetitive misstatements, mistaken and misinterpreted news reports to cause excitement and confusion. They then figuratively "drive off" leaving the cleanup of their mess and hysteria to others, to correct and properly explain and interpret.
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drop a bollock »
To make a mistake.
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drop the ball »
To fail in one's responsibilities or duties, or to make a mistake, especially at a critical point or when the result is very negative.
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eat crow »
To recognize that one has been shown to be mistaken or outdone, especially by admitting that one has made a humiliating error.
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foul up »
To make a mistake, to go wrong.
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get one's wires crossed »
To get confused or mixed up; to make a mistake.
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gloss over »
To cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash.
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haste makes waste »
One makes mistakes when being too hasty.
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hedge one's bets »
To reduce the risk of making a mistake, by keeping one's options open.
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it's better to ask forgiveness than permission »
The value of acting promptly and making a mistake requiring forgiveness is greater than value of delaying to get permission.
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it's not the whistle that pulls the train »
Boasting and loud talk should not be mistaken for the work that produces real achievements; bravado is no proof of action.1956, James Reston, "Washington: It's Not the Whistle that Pulls the Train," New York Times, 1 July, p. E8:
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kick oneself »
To reproach oneself for making a mistake or missing an opportunity.
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let slip »
To divulge a secret, as by accident or mistake.
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mess up »
To cause a problem with; to introduce an error or mistake in; to make muddled or confused; spoil; ruin.
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mess up »
To make a mistake; to do something incorrectly; to perform poorly.
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mess up »
To make unwanted mistakes in a given task, usually through distraction or obnoxious behavior.
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nobody's perfect »
Used when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my best
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put a foot wrong »
To make a mistake.
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put one's foot in it »
To make a mistake in public, or a social blunder, that is embarrassing, or offensive.
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slip of the pen »
A mistake in handwriting.
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slip of the tongue »
A mistake in speech.
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slip up »
To err, falter; to make a mistake.
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slip-up »
A mistake or error; a minor misstep.
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spanner »
A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.
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stuff up »
To make a big mistake.
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to err is human »
Everyone makes mistakes.
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