You searched for: “misspeaking
misspeak (mis SPEEK) (verb), misspeaks; misspoke (mis SPOHK); misspeaking (mis SPEEK ing)
1. To make statements that are inappropriate or made in haste: Trina tends to misspeak if she is nervous when speaking to a crowd.
2. To say or to pronounce words in an incorrect manner or to express improperly: Because the librarian tends to misspeak so often, Albert wonders if he really knows how often he misinforms his visitors.
3. To speak otherwise than according to one's intention: The politician tends to misspeak so often his credibility is questionable.

If the imperfectly expressed thought, whether an amusing blooper or a serious gaffe, is unintentional and a mere slip of the lip; then such misspeaking should not be considered lying.

This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group M (page 4)