wardrobe malfunction


Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Wikipedia.

wardrobe malfunction

An instance in which an outfit or costume does not fit or hold together properly, especially when it exposes a part of the wearer's body as a result. The phrase was coined in the aftermath of the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, during which performer Justin Timberlake managed to pull off part of fellow performer Janet Jackson's costume, revealing one of her breasts. A: "Much to my mortification, my pants ripped when I bent over, so I ended up showing my butt off to the whole office!" B: "Yeesh, that's quite the wardrobe malfunction!"
See also: wardrobe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

wardrobe malfunction

n. the failure of a costume to fully cover its wearer as intended. (From an incident on broadcast television where this failure allowed a woman’s naked breast to be seen. The term itself was concocted to be an excuse for the incident.) Now he spends hours watching TV, hoping for another wardrobe malfunction.
See also: wardrobe
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also:
References in periodicals archive ?
A wardrobe malfunction would be short sighted - I won't do it
during Super Bowl Katy: I won't kick off
Jennifer Lawrence has won the Screen Actors Guild award for best lead actress for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, but suffered a wardrobe malfunction on her way to the stage.
Jennifer Lawrence's wardrobe malfunction at the SAGs
After the scandalous performance that caused a media frenzy, both Jackson and Timberlake claimed the exposed breast was not intentional and was simply a "wardrobe malfunction."
US star's breast "malfunction" case reopened
WB brass--who posted the uncut version online--cited worries about the Federal Communications Commission's reaction in light of the agency's fining of stations for Janet Jackson's 2004 "wardrobe malfunction."
WB girl kiss bites it
EUROVISION hopeful Javine has been ordered to tone down her eye- popping outfit for the final after her "wardrobe malfunction" on live TV.
JAVINE'S BOOBS BANNED
The 24-year-old singer, who was a contestant in Popstars: The Rivals, stunned viewers after herskimpy russet dress slipped during her energetic rendition of Touch My Fire, resulting in what has become known in the showbusiness industry as a 'wardrobe malfunction'.
Songstress Javine
Who could have predicted that a wardrobe malfunction would have the power to turn back the Normandy invasion and strand Pvt.
Deserting Private Ryan
In the wake of Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl's half-time show, the Federal Communications Commission, charged with protecting that nonexistent abstraction, "the public interest," is working hand-in-fist with Congress to increase its fines against broadcasters of "offensive" programming.
Express yourself
Meghan Markle suffered a wardrobe malfunction in Bristol on Friday.
Meghan Markle Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction In Bristol
Faye Tozer suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction onStrictly Come Dancingtonight after her excitement got the better of her.
Strictly's Faye Tozer suffers awkward wardrobe malfunction in thigh-split dress; The former Steps singer, 43, bagged a place in the final tonight and couldn't contain her excitement
Summary: Washington DC, [USA] Sep 04 (ANI): American singer Nicki Minaj flawlessly dealt with a wardrobe malfunction during her performance at the 018 Made in America Festival in Philadelphia.
Nicki Minaj handles wardrobe malfunction like a 'Queen'
MINNEAPOLIS -- Justin Timberlake was asked about a bromance with Tom Brady and a possible 'N Sync reunion, and serenaded with "Happy Birthday," but the superstar didn't get a question about the wardrobe malfunction that rocked the world during a news conference Thursday to promote his return to the Super Bowl halftime show.
Timberlake rules out 'N Sync reunion for halftime show
Timberlake on Sunday will return to America's biggest stage 14 years after a "wardrobe malfunction" overshadowed his last gig at the National Football League's championship game.
Justin Timberlake says Janet not part of Super Bowl show
Model Naomi Campbell's wardrobe malfunction at Glamour's awards bash was so good that it deserves a day two.
Naomi ducts her zipper problem
AFTER her recent wardrobe malfunction actress Jennifer Lawrence was taking no chances at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
Jen jumps in to avoid dress mess; the Razz
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?