Physical Comedy Terms

noun a humiliating or ridiculous fall or tumble

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• During the play, the actor executed a perfect pratfall that had the audience roaring with laughter.
• I tried to jump over the puddle but ended up doing a pratfall instead.
• He slipped on a banana peel and did a hilarious pratfall in front of everyone.
• Her plan to impress the boss with her presentation ended up being a pratfall when the projector malfunctioned.

noun a way of walking by taking short steps from side to side, like a duck

verb to walk with short steps from side to side, like a duck

• The penguin waddled gracefully across the icy terrain.
• The ducklings waddled behind their mother in a cute line.
• I saw him waddle out of the bar after having one too many drinks.
• The toddler waddled towards the toy, eager to play with it.

noun a rake

verb step

preposition on

• He accidentally stepped on a rake while working in the garden.
• I can't believe I just stepped on a rake in the yard!
• Watch out so you don't step on a rake and hurt yourself.
• Stepping on a rake is like making the same mistake twice in a row.

noun a comedic reaction in which someone spits out liquid they were drinking due to surprise or laughter

• During the elegant dinner party, the guest did a spit take when the host made a hilarious joke.
• I nearly did a spit take when I heard the gossip my friend told me.
• The comedian's joke was so unexpected, I did a spit take with my drink.
• The shocking plot twist in the movie made me do a mental spit take.

noun A fall or landing on one's face, especially in a clumsy or ungraceful manner

• The athlete tripped and performed a faceplant on the track during the race.
• I saw John trying to show off his skateboarding skills but ended up doing a faceplant instead.
• She attempted to do a handstand but ended up doing a faceplant on the grass.
• The new employee's presentation was a complete faceplant in front of the entire team.

interjection used to express sudden pain or discomfort

• She let out a sharp 'Ouch!' when she accidentally touched the hot stove.
• Ouch! That really hurt!
• Ouch, that was a real stinger!
• His words were like a slap in the face, making her say 'Ouch!' internally.