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Pitfall vs Pratfall - What's the difference?

pitfall | pratfall |

As nouns the difference between pitfall and pratfall

is that pitfall is a potential problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious while pratfall is a fall onto the buttocks.

As a verb pratfall is

to fall on to the buttocks.

pitfall

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • a potential problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious.
    • It's usually a simple task, but you should know the pitfalls before you attempt it yourself.
  • A type of trap consisting of a concealed hole in the ground: victims fall into the hole and are unable to escape
  • (computing) An anti-pattern.

    • Synonyms

    * : trap * : anti-pattern, dark pattern

    Derived terms

    * pitfalled

    pratfall

    English

    Alternative forms

    * prat-fall * pratt-fall

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fall onto the buttocks.
  • A humiliating mistake.
  • A staged trip or fall, often for comedic purposes.
    • The motivational speaker started with a pratfall so he could speak about the importance of getting back up.

    Synonyms

    * (a fall on to the buttocks): * (a humiliating mistake): blunder, howler * :

    Verb

  • To fall on to the buttocks.

    • Derived terms

    * prat-fallen * prat-falling