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Glite Dictionary
to blunder out

to blunder out

7.4
To say something quickly and carelessly without thinking
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈblʌndər aʊt/
  • Informal
translation icon : soltar
  • During the meeting, he blundered out an inappropriate joke that embarrassed everyone.

Examples

  • She realized too late that she had blundered out the confidential details to the press.

  • Trying to help, the child blundered out the answer before anyone else had a chance.

  • Don't blunder out your opinions without thinking first!

  • Why did you blunder out that secret?

  • During the meeting, he blundered out an inappropriate joke that embarrassed everyone.

  • She realized too late that she had blundered out the confidential details to the press.

  • Trying to help, the child blundered out the answer before anyone else had a chance.

Synonyms

to blurt
vsto blunder out
59 4.8

To say something suddenly without thinking because you feel excited or nervous

is more clumsy or unplanned rather than emotional urge
to blurt out
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
42 3.9

Say something suddenly without thinking

is more clumsy or awkward rather than only sudden
to blunder
vsto blunder out
7 4.4

To make a careless mistake by acting or speaking without thinking

is narrower focusing on clumsy spoken remarks rather than any mistake
to shoot from the hip
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
6 8.1

To speak or act quickly without thinking carefully

is more about clumsy spoken mistakes rather than quick action
to shoot one's mouth off
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
5 8.0

To say things carelessly or proudly without thinking about the result

is more clumsy or awkward rather than boastful or loud
to go off half-cocked
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
4 8.1

To act or speak without thinking first and cause problems

is more about clumsy speech specifically rather than general unpreparedness
to put foot in it
vsto blunder out
  • UK
3 7.7

To say or do something embarrassing by accident

is more focused on impulsive clumsy speaking than accidental acts
to shoot from the lip
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
1 8.9

To speak quickly without thinking and risk upsetting people

is more clumsy and unthinking than intentionally offensive
to shoot off at the mouth
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
1 9.4

Say things quickly without thinking that may hurt people or make you sorry later

is more clumsy and awkward rather than mainly offensive
to stick one's foot in it
vsto blunder out
  • UK
1 8.5

To say or do something embarrassing by accident

is more about impulsive clumsy speech rather than accidental embarrassment
to shot from the lip
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
9.9

To say something quickly without thinking

is more clumsy and accidental rather than intentionally blunt
to put one's foot in one's mouth
vsto blunder out
  • Informal
8.2

To say something embarrassing without meaning to

is more impulsive and clumsy rather than accidental embarrassment

How Impulsive

to spout
  • Informal
63 5.2
to blurt out
  • Informal
42 3.9
to blunder out
  • Informal
7.4
to let slip
5 5.6

Surface Forms

blunder out infinitive
blundered out past
blundered out past participle
blundering out present participle
blunders out third person singular

Morphology

blunder + out

The verb 'blunder' already encodes speaking or acting without thinking, and the particle 'out' conveys outward expression; together they form a straightforward verb+particle construction meaning to utter something clumsily or impulsively. This composition follows common English phrasal-verb patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reliably infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb blunder out creates a clear picture: blunder is a clumsy mistake and out shows words coming from your mouth. Imagine someone who stumbles with their words and suddenly says something without thinking — that's why blunder out means 'to say something impulsively or clumsily'.