Boo-boo

A minor injury, usually a small cut, scrape, bump, or bruise, that causes a limited amount of pain and discomfort. Often used playfully or endearingly, particularly when referring to children's injuries. It implies a sense of something not serious or requiring significant medical attention. The term often carries a comforting connotation, as if the injury is easily remedied with a band-aid, a kiss, or some gentle reassurance. It can also be used more broadly to describe a mistake, error, or a minor problem.

Boo-boo meaning with examples

• The little girl tripped on the sidewalk and scraped her knee. "Oh, that's just a boo-boo," her mother said, pulling out a colorful band-aid to fix it. She smiled, wiping away a tear. A kiss and a band-aid was all the toddler needed.
• After a clumsy fall during the game, the player sat on the bench with a grimace, holding his arm. "Just a boo-boo," the coach reassured, inspecting the injury. "We'll get you iced up, and you will be back in the game shortly." The minor injury needed attention.
• The chef realized he had forgotten to add salt to the sauce. "It's just a boo-boo," he sighed, quickly correcting the recipe, trying to remain upbeat. With a little adjusting of seasoning, the dish was still a success.
• During the presentation, the speaker stumbled over a word, quickly corrected it, and joked, "Sorry about that little boo-boo. Let's move on!" It was a small error that barely affected the overall flow. A quick recovery was all that was needed.