Pratfall

Alternative forms

• prat-fall
• pratt-fall

Origin

prat + fall

Full definition of pratfall

Noun

1. A fall onto the buttocks.
2. A humiliating mistake.
3. A staged trip or fall, often for comedic purposes.The motivational speaker started with a pratfall so he could speak about the importance of getting back up.

Synonyms

• a fall on to the buttocks:
• a humiliating mistake: blunder, howler
• a staged trip or fall, often for comedic purposes:

Verb

1. To fall on to the buttocks.

Derived terms

• prat-fallen
• prat-falling