pratfall

UK: /ˈprætfɔːl/ US: /ˈprætˌfɔl/ ,(prat′fôl′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

prat•fall /ˈprætˌfɔl/   n. [countable]

1. a fall on the buttocks, esp. when thought of as comical or causing embarrassment.
2. an embarrassing mistake or defeat.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prat•fall  (prat′fôl′), n. 

1. a fall in which one lands on the buttocks, often regarded as comical or humiliating.
2. a humiliating blunder or defeat.

• prat + fall 1935–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pratfall / ˈprætˌfɔːl/ noun

1. a fall upon one's buttocks

Etymology: 20th Century: from C16 prat buttocks (of unknown origin) + fall