blunder out
Definition
Verb: - To say something suddenly, impulsively, or without careful thought, often revealing information that was not intended to be shared. It implies a clumsy or tactless manner of speaking.
Usage
This verb is used to describe the act of speaking in a rash, unthinking way. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the speaker made a mistake by revealing something. - It is typically used with an object (what was said). - It often appears in the structure: blunder out + [noun phrase].
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used in both active and passive constructions, though the active voice is more common.
- Active: The witness blundered out the suspect's name.
- Passive (less common): The secret was blundered out during a casual conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Blurt out: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "blunder out," though "blurt out" is more common in modern usage.
- Blunder (verb): To make a stupid or careless mistake.
- Blunder (noun): A stupid or careless mistake.
Synonyms
- Blurt out: To say suddenly and without thinking.
- Let slip: To reveal (information) accidentally.
- Divulge inadvertently: To disclose something unintentionally.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Blurt out: This is the most directly related phrasal verb, with essentially identical meaning and usage.
- He blurted out the answer before the teacher finished the question.
Related Idioms
- Put one's foot in one's mouth: To say something embarrassing, tactless, or offensive. This idiom shares the concept of a verbal mistake but is more focused on the social error than the impulsive revelation.
- I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her ex-husband.
Verb
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utter impulsively
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He blurted out the secret
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He blundered his stupid ideas
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