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foot in mouth

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 12:08 pm
by Itasan
"United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has won Plain English Campaign's annual 'Foot in Mouth' award for the most baffling statement by a public figure."
I wonder if 'foot in mouth' is a commonly used as a noun phrase. If so, would you please show me some sentences with the phrase in it?
Thank you.

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 6:31 pm
by sita
put your foot in your mouth


To make an embarrassing or tactless blunder when speaking: “Rob tries to say nice things, but he always ends up putting his foot in his mouth.” 1

http://www.bartleby.com/59/4/putyourfooti.html

Siân :D :D

Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 8:00 pm
by RolandTrego
No, I don't believe it is commonly used as a noun. In fact, this is the first time I've ever seen it used that way. We would more likely use the French expression, "He made a faux pas." When you come across these expressions, you might consider doing a computer search for an exact phrase. Then you can see if/how people say things.

Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:04 pm
by Itasan
Thank you very much.
Itasan