# mulligan

/ˈməɫɪɡən/ (US) · /mˈʌlɪɡən/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mulligan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a second chance to do something after you fail the first time. It comes from the game of golf, where you can sometimes hit a ball again if your first shot was bad.

For teachers: an extra stroke allowed after a poor shot, not counted on the scorecard. By extension, refers to any informal second chance or 'do-over' granted after a mistake or failure.

## Examples

- He missed the first shot, so his friends gave him a mulligan.
- The professor decided to give the students a mulligan on the first quiz because the instructions were unclear.
- In casual play, a mulligan is often granted on the first tee to ease the pressure of the opening drive, though it remains strictly prohibited in professional tournament conditions.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verbs 'take' or 'give'.

---

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.