| Once a commentator commits a major rhetorical gaffe or colossal misstatement of fact, it becomes impossible to take them seriously. |
| Jubilant children can now go to their chosen schools after education chiefs admitted an embarrassing gaffe. |
| Offered a chance to walk his gaffe back, the poor fellow only digs himself deeper. |
| What they're after is the gaffe or the mistake rather than the analysis of the decision. |
| Only then, having realised their diplomatic gaffe, did the White House alter its stance. |
| As in all such debates, the principal goal is to avoid a gaffe which will make embarrassing headlines the next morning. |
