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fumble

[/ˈfʌmbəl/]
verb/nounpl: fumbles
apalpar, tatear, deixar cair
1. (verb) to handle something clumsily or awkwardly; to grope about
He fumbled with the keys trying to unlock the door.
Ele apalrou as chaves tentando abrir a porta.
2. (verb) in sports, to lose possession of the ball unintentionally
The running back fumbled the ball near the goal line.
O corredor deixou cair a bola perto da linha de gol.
3. (noun) an act of fumbling; a clumsy mistake or loss of possession
That fumble cost the team the game.
Aquele erro custou o jogo ao time.
4. (verb) to speak in a hesitant or confused manner
She fumbled through her presentation.
Ela gaguejou durante sua apresentação.
NYC Slang
drop the ball; mess up
Synonyms
bunglebotchgropemishandlestumble
Antonyms
graspcatchhandle skillfullysecure

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
apalpar, tatear, deixar cair
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
apalpar, cagar
informal/slang usage for making a mistake
São Paulo
apalpar, desastrar
colloquial term for clumsy handling
Portugal
apalpar, mexer desajeitadamente
European Portuguese standard usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

fumble the ball
fumble around
fumble through something
fumble for words
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