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faux pas

A social blunder or misstep, often causing embarrassment or discomfort.

Examples:

  • I committed a faux pas when I forgot her birthday even though she reminded me weeks in advance.
  • His faux pas at the meeting made everyone feel awkward, as he spoke out of turn.

pareidolia

The tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern, sometimes relates to misinterpretation.

Examples:

  • Seeing faces in clouds is a common example of pareidolia.
  • Her pareidolia led her to believe the tree looked like a famous celebrity.

overanxiety

An excessive or inappropriate level of anxiety regarding a situation, in this case, possibly relating to time management or punctuality.

Examples:

  • He experienced overanxiety before presentations, worrying he wouldn't be on time.
  • Her overanxiety about being late made her arrive an hour early.

false alarm

A situation in which one reacts to a perceived danger or event that turns out to be innocuous or nonexistent.

Examples:

  • I thought I had missed the train but it was just a false alarm when I heard the whistle.
  • The fire drill was a false alarm, and everyone returned to their offices.

existential dread

A feeling of deep anxiety or uncertainty about one's existence or the future.

Examples:

  • She felt existential dread when she thought about all the responsibilities she had neglected.
  • His existential dread was compounded by the thought of waking up late and missing out on life opportunities.