Basic Details
Word: Fiasco
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A complete failure, especially in a ridiculous or embarrassing way.
Synonyms: Catastrophe, disaster, debacle
Antonyms: Success, achievement, triumph
Idioms and Phrases
- A real fiasco: Describes an event that has gone very wrong. Example: "The party turned into a real fiasco when the music system broke down."
- Make a fiasco of something: To cause something to fail in a very noticeable way. Example: "He managed to make a fiasco of the presentation by forgetting his notes."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The school play turned into a fiasco when the main actor forgot his lines.
Example 2: Their attempt to make a homemade cake ended in a fiasco, leaving the kitchen covered in flour.
Example 3: The companys new advertising campaign was a fiasco, failing to attract any customers at all.
Fun Fact
The word "fiasco" comes from the Italian phrase "far fiasco," which means "to make a bottle." This term evolved to mean "failure," possibly because a broken bottle is often messy and disappointing!
Famous Quote
"There is no greater misery than to recall in old age the pleasures of youth." - Aesop (Though not specifically about 'fiasco', it relates to the regrets associated with failures.)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "fiasco" mean?
a) A great success
b) A complete failure
c) A type of celebration
d) A fun game
Answer: b) A complete failure
2. Which of these is a synonym of "fiasco"?
a) Triumph
b) Catastrophe
c) Achievement
d) Victory
Answer: b) Catastrophe
3. Which of the following words is an antonym of "fiasco"?
a) Catastrophe
b) Success
c) Disaster
d) Debacle
Answer: b) Success
4. Which sentence uses "fiasco" correctly?
a) The team won the match without any fiasco.
b) The film was a fiasco, leaving everyone in tears.
c) She made a fiasco of her homework by finishing it early.
d) Their fiasco made the event more interesting.
Answer: b) The film was a fiasco, leaving everyone in tears.
5. What does it mean to "make a fiasco of something"?
a) To succeed in something
b) To cause something to fail in a noticeable way
c) To make a special event
d) To prepare for success
Answer: b) To cause something to fail in a noticeable way
