1. falls onto one’s buttocks, especially done deliberately for comedic effect
Usage: comedy; physical humor
2. humiliating mistakes or failures
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The comedian’s pratfalls had the audience roaring with laughter.
• Charlie Chaplin was famous for his elaborate pratfalls in silent films.
• The politician’s campaign was marked by several embarrassing pratfalls.
• She slipped on the banana peel and took a spectacular pratfall.
• The clown performed a series of pratfalls during the circus act.
• His business venture ended in a series of costly pratfalls.
• The actor rehearsed his pratfalls carefully to avoid injury.