I have a couple who is close to finishing counseling. I saw them five months ago, and they shared their progress since their last session. They talked about conversations that got off track, and one of them would say, “You blew it!” 

Typically, a partner would give feedback when a dialogue derailed. However, this couple added humor to the mix. It was their playful way of letting their partner know they said something critically or defensively. This way, the partner could pivot by owning or correcting their inappropriate statement.

Instead of being accusatory, the response, “You blew it!” was a lighthearted way to bring the conversation back on track.