backfire -
When a plan fails, to have the opposite result of what was intended.
The politician tried to hide his assets, in order to appear like a common man. But his plan backfired when they were revealed, and people saw that he was a liar.
noun
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Mistake
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misconception -
A wrong and often widespread assumption based on faulty thinking or lack of information.
There’s a common misconception that bats are blind.
adjective
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negligent -
To mistakenly fail to do something that should have been done
Bill admitted that he was negligent in not locking the door, and as a result the house was robbed.
noun
See verb
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fumble -
An act of using the hands clumsily while doing or handling something
Owen made a major fumble on his date when he knocked over his glass of wine.
noun
See verb
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unforgivable -
So bad as to be unable to be forgiven or excused
He was fired because the company felt that stealing money was an unforgivable act.
verb
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squander -
To waste something, such as money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner
Many lottery winners end up squandering their fortune and returning to their life of poverty.
noun
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boondoggle -
Work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value
When the funds dried up before the bridge could be finished, it turned into an expensive boondoggle that couldn't transport anybody.
noun
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fiasco -
A thing that is a complete failure, especially in a ludicrous or humiliating way
In the 1980s, Coca-Cola released New Coke, which ended up being one of the costliest business fiascos ever.
adjective
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spurious -
False and incorrect
The teacher showed Max that his scientific conclusions were wrong because they were based on spurious facts and logic.
verb
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fritter -
To waste or squander time, money or resources.
My father told me I would prosper if I don't fritter away my time and money because they are equally precious.
verb
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flunk -
To fail to reach the required standard in an examination, test, or course of study
Ron hid his school test from his mother because he didn't want her to know he had flunked it.
noun
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snafu -
A confused or chaotic state; a mess
A lack of funding led to the snafu of an incomplete bridge being built across the river.
