contretemps
Americannoun
plural
contretempsnoun
-
an awkward or difficult situation or mishap
-
fencing a feint made with the purpose of producing a counterthrust from one's opponent
-
a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing
Etymology
Origin of contretemps
1675–85; < French, equivalent to contre- counter- + temps time (< Latin tempus ); perhaps alteration (by folk etymology) of Middle French contrestant, present participle of contrester to oppose; contrast
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now comes this week’s contretemps over the “Late Show” cancellation of a broadcast interview with Talarico.
These two ladies seem far too alike not to arrive at a contretemps, which they quickly do.
However, as has been seen in recent years, the inherent clash of personalities there does break out into the open sometimes, especially when they have an on-track contretemps.
From BBC
Innocently hang a flag the wrong way — or hang the wrong flag — and what was supposed to be a celebration can become a diplomatic contretemps.
From Los Angeles Times
When Mr. Wicker and some colleagues threatened to resign, Mr. Sulzberger withdrew the proposed appointment, and the widely publicized contretemps ended with bruised feelings all around.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
