Meaning & use
make a boo-boo
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Meanings
phraseidiominformalchild language
to make a small mistake or error, especially one that is not serious
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase: I made a boo-boo. It takes no object for the mistake itself, but you can say 'make a boo-boo on something'.
Patterns
- make a boo-boo
- make a boo-boo on something
Don't worry, everyone makes a boo-boo sometimes.
I made a boo-boo on the last question and lost a point.
She made a boo-boo in her email and sent it to the wrong person.
phraseidiominformalchild language
to get a small injury, such as a cut or bruise, especially one that is not serious
Grammar: Usually used for children: Did you make a boo-boo? It can also mean 'to hurt oneself slightly'.
Patterns
- make a boo-boo
- make a boo-boo on one's knee
The little boy made a boo-boo on his knee while running.
She started to cry after she made a boo-boo on her finger.
Common combinations
- make a boo-boo on something
- He made a boo-boo on his homework and had to erase it.
- a little boo-boo
- It's just a little boo-boo; it will heal soon.
- make a boo-boo in something
- I made a boo-boo in the report and fixed it later.
Synonyms and how they differ
- make a mistake
- This is the neutral, adult way to say it; 'make a boo-boo' sounds childish or playful.
- slip up
- Informal but not childish; it often suggests a careless error rather than a small injury.
Word family
- boo-boo noun
- A small mistake or minor injury, used in child language or humorously.
Commonly confused: make a boo-boo or boo?
make a boo-boo vs boo
'Boo' is a sound made to scare someone or to show disapproval; 'boo-boo' is a small mistake or injury.
Practice
My little sister _____ when she fell off her bike.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'make a boo-boo' for getting a small injury or mistake. 'Did', 'took', and 'had' do not combine with 'boo-boo' in this idiomatic way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “make a boo-boo”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.