a real howler

a real howler

1. A mistake, error, or blunder that causes great laughter at the expense of the person who commits it, i.e., one that results in "howling" laughter. Do you remember when John actually slipped on a banana peel? That was a real howler.
2. An extremely funny joke, anecdote, or remark that results in "howling" laughter. Boy, Jerry sure knows some real howlers. I thought my sides were going to split I was laughing so hard.
See also: howler, real
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • howler
  • howl with laughter
  • fall about with laughter
  • shake with laughter
  • shake with laughter, to
  • gales of laughter
  • be a howling success
  • howling
  • howling success
  • in fits
References in periodicals archive
Even though it was a real howler by Paul Robinson,if there is an opposition player even in the goalkeeper's field of vision they must be interfering with play.
Mark Lawrenson's column: Winter of discontent
A real howler from Luton goalkeeper Ovendale, who failed to hold a vicious corner flung into his near post, allowed Bidstrup to complete Wigan's victory with a close-range header after 54 minutes.
Football: Home-sick Luton suffer; Luton 0 Wigan 2
But it took a real howler from Queen's keeper Steven McGovern to gift the Black and Whites the points after half an hour.
Football: Hot Roddie hits Queens; ELGIN .......1 QUEEN'S PARK......0