flub a line

Meaning

To 'flub a line' means to make a mistake, stumble, or forget what you are supposed to say while performing, acting, or speaking publicly. It is a casual term used in theater, film, and broadcasting when an actor or speaker messes up their dialogue.

Examples

• The actress flubbed her line during the live broadcast, but she quickly recovered and kept going.

  The actress flubbed her line during the live broadcast, but she quickly recovered and kept going.

• I always flub a line or two when I have to give a presentation in front of a large crowd.

  I always flub a line or two when I have to give a presentation in front of a large crowd.

• Don't worry if you flub a line during the audition; just stay in character and keep moving.

  Don't worry if you flub a line during the audition; just stay in character and keep moving.

• The director had to call for another take because the lead actor flubbed his line at the very end of the scene.

  The director had to call for another take because the lead actor flubbed his line at the very end of the scene.

• We have a hilarious blooper reel of all the times the cast flubbed their lines during filming.

  We have a hilarious blooper reel of all the times the cast flubbed their lines during filming.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He flubbed at his line during the play.

  ✓ He flubbed his line during the play.

  'Flub' is a transitive verb here and directly takes the object, so do not use the preposition 'at'.

• ✗ I made a flub line on stage.

  ✓ I flubbed a line on stage.

  'Flub' is typically used as a verb in this idiom ('to flub a line'), not as an adjective modifying 'line'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Even experienced stage actors occasionally ___ during a live performance.

  💡 Make a mistake while speaking dialogue.

  Show answer

  flub a line

• I was so nervous during the speech that I was terrified I would ___.

  💡 Stumble over or forget what to say.

  Show answer

  flub a line