Gaff Meaning in English

word

US

ˈɡæf

GAF

UK

ɡˈæf

GAF

Definition

A 'gaff' is a pole with a hook for catching or lifting fish. Informally, it also means a social mistake or embarrassing error.

Usage & Nuances

In fishing, 'gaff' is specific equipment. In British and Irish slang, 'gaff' can also mean a house or place, and in informal speech anywhere, it's used for a mistake ('political gaff'). Don't confuse 'gaff' (error) with 'gaffe', which only means a social blunder.

• Spanish: pértiga (pesca) - metedura de pata (informal)
• Portuguese (BR): bicheiro (pesca) - gafe (erro informal)
• Portuguese (PT): bicheiro (pesca) - gafe (erro informal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 鱼钩杆 - 失言(非正式)
• Chinese (Traditional): 魚鉤桿 - 失言(非正式)
• Hindi: गैफ़ (मछली पकड़ने का डंडा) - चूक (अनौपचारिक)
• Arabic: خطاف الصيد - زلة لسان (غير رسمي)
• Bengali: গ্যাফ (ধরা কাঠি) - বড় ভুল (সামাজিক বা পেশাগত)
• Russian: гаф (крючковая палка для рыбы) - ошибка (социальная оплошность)
• Japanese: ギャフ（釣り道具） - 失敗（間違い）
• Vietnamese: cây móc câu (dụng cụ câu cá) - lỗi nghiêm trọng (về xã hội hoặc công việc)
• Korean: 가프(낚시용 갈고리) - 실수(사회적 또는 업무상)
• Turkish: gaff (balık avlama kancalı sopa) - gaf (sosyal hata)
• Urdu: گَف (ماہی پکڑنے کی چھڑی) - سنگین غلطی (سماجی یا پیشہ ورانہ)
• Indonesian: thanh móc cá - lỗi nghiêm trọng (xã hội hoặc công việc)

Example Sentences

He used a gaff to pull the big fish onto the boat.

basic

He made a big gaff at the meeting and everyone laughed.

basic

The fisherman sharpened his gaff before going out to sea.

basic

That politician’s last gaff was all over the news.

natural

Bring the gaff! This fish is huge!

natural

Oops, another classic work gaff—I sent the email to the wrong client.

natural