what is gaffe

A gaffe is a mistake that embarrasses you in front of others. It is a social or diplomatic blunder, or a noticeable mistake. In the context of politics, a gaffe is an error in speech made by a politician. It can be an inadvertent statement by a politician that reveals ignorance or a statement made when the politician privately believes it to be true, realizes the dire consequences of saying it, and yet inadvertently utters, in public, the unutterable. A politicians statement of what is on their mind may also be considered a gaffe. In general, a gaffe is a stupid or careless mistake, for example when you say or do something that offends or upsets people.