oops

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alley-oop

1. basketball A play in which a player tosses the ball into the air near the basket, while another player leaps into the air, catches the ball, and dunks it. Johnson tosses the ball from the free-throw line, while Smith comes flying in out of nowhere for an incredible alley-oop! Did you see that? Two players on the Bulls just pulled off an amazing alley-oop! Right, like you two dorks can execute an alley-oop.

2. interjection A shout of encouragement or exhortation at the start of a strenuous activity, especially lifting a heavy object. OK, are you ready to pick up the sofa? Get your grip, bend your knees—one, two, three, alley-oop! A: "OK, alley-oop!" B: "Wait, wait, it's slipping out of my hands!" Can you help me move this table? All right, ready? Alley-oop!

oops

informal An exclamation of surprise used in response to a mistake or moment of clumsiness. Oops! Dang it, I can't believe I broke my favorite vase! A: "Hey, watch it! You're spilling the coffee!" B: "Oops! Let me get a cloth to clean that up." A: "Ah geez, I misspelled the professor's name on my paper." B: "Oops. Guess you'll have to reprint your cover page."

oops-a-daisy

An exclamation of surprise or apology, as after doing something clumsy. Oops-a-daisy! Dang it, I can't believe I broke my favorite vase! A: "Hey, watch it! You're spilling the coffee!" B: "Oops-a-daisy! Let me get a cloth to clean that up."