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DictionaryclinkerConspicuous mistake
noun

clinker

A conspicuous mistake or awkward failure.

The singer hit a clinker in the final phrase.

Etymology
clinkerProbable sourceEnglisha fused lump left by burning

Probably a figurative use of clinker for unwanted residue. The exact route to a bad note, mistake, or failure is uncertain.

More examples

  • His speech contained one embarrassing clinker.
  • A factual clinker undermined the otherwise careful article.
  • The reviewer called the failed joke a clinker.

Forms

clinker · clinkers

Similar words

blunder
Blunder is the ordinary term for a serious mistake; clinker is informal and often concerns a conspicuous error.
flop
A flop is an overall failure; a clinker can be one bad note, joke, or statement.