# thud and blunder

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/thud-and-blunder
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An adventure or active endeavor that is characterized by, often humorous, errors.

## Examples

- Their attempt to fix the sink was a total thud and blunder.
- The team's plan to organize the event became a thud and blunder when they forgot to book the venue.
- What began as a serious expedition to map the remote valley quickly devolved into a thud and blunder of missed turns and broken equipment.

## Origin

Spoonerism of blood and thunder.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.