Definition of pratfall
1
: a fall on the buttocks
2
: a humiliating mishap or blunder
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Examples of pratfall in a Sentence
He slipped and took a pratfall into the mud.
Recent Examples of pratfall from the Web
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That's all the conflict this script needs to set up a series of extravagantly painful pranks, pratfalls and don't-try-this-at-home physical comedy.
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And while waiting for that to happen, all that's left, mostly, are a series of pratfalls, as the pampered heir -- who has never worked a day in his life -- tries to master a construction job and simple household chores.
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Republicans looking anxiously to midterms should wonder how many seats in Congress these administrative pratfalls are worth.
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Friday’s offensively challenged pratfall against Philadelphia was their latest.
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But after a 1-8 football flop during the bowl season and the recent 0-3 pratfall by the Pac-12 into March mediocrity, the conference's men's sports profile needs to lead with something other than its glass jaw.
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If this sounds a bit heady for a rollicking tragicomedy in which pratfalls and death throes are tumbled together, that is part of the play’s unusual scheme.
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Some would say this season has been Aldridge’s best effort to atone for last year’s playoff pratfall.
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This is in the era of 'That Darn Cat,' (when) family movies were silly or filled with jokes and pratfalls.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pratfall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The human posterior has been given a number of designations over the centuries, some not acceptable in polite company. "Prat," a slang term with only slightly indecorous overtones, has been used in reference to the backside since the 16th century. It wasn't until the 1930s, however, that falling on one's prat gave rise to the term "pratfall." The word first cropped up in the lingo of comedy theater, where a pratfall is often part of a slapstick routine. It wasn't long before we gave the word its extended sense of "blunder." Now, with "prat" rarely used as a synonym of "derriere" anymore, "pratfall" is as apt to suggest getting a pie in the face as landing bang on one's behind.
Origin and Etymology of pratfall
argot prat buttocks + fall
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1930
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearPRATFALL Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of pratfall for English Language Learners
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: a sudden fall in which you end up sitting on the ground
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: an embarrassing mistake or accident
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