Shame & Embarrassment: English Vocabulary List

to avoid doing or saying something that would embarrass someone

"He apologized to spare her blushes."

"The kind teacher spared my blushes by not announcing my low test score to the whole class."

to behave in a very foolish and embarrassing way in the presence of others

"He made a spectacle of himself."

"She made a spectacle of herself by dancing wildly at the formal dinner party."

used to wish that one could disappear or not have existed at all so as not to have to tolerate such embarrassment

"I wanted the earth to swallow me."

"When he realized he had accidentally sent the embarrassing email to the entire company, he wished the earth would open up and swallow him."

turning red in the face out of embarrassment

"He was as red as a beet."

"She turned as red as a beet when everyone started laughing at her mistake."

used to refer to a situation in which one becomes extremely angry, causing one's face to turn red

"He was red as cherry."

"After the argument, his face was as red as a cherry from embarrassment and anger."

to have no choice but to do something that is embarrassing in one's standards

"He swallowed his pride and apologized."

"I had to swallow my pride and apologise to my younger brother for being so rude."

to do or say something that leads to someone's embarrassment

"I put my foot in my mouth."

"I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her husband, not knowing they had recently divorced."

a situation in which one is badly embarrassed because of what one did or said

"He had egg on his face."

"After his confident prediction of victory proved wrong, the politician was left with egg on his face."

to regret or feel bad about what one has said earlier

"He had to eat dirt."

"The arrogant businessman was forced to eat dirt when his flawed business plan failed spectacularly."

to admit one's mistakes or accept a humiliating situation or defeat

"He had to eat humble pie."

"The proud athlete had to eat humble pie after losing the match to a much younger opponent."

feeling severely ashamed or embarrassed

"He was red in the face from embarrassment."

"The embarrassed boy turned red in the face when the teacher caught him cheating on the test."

used to describe someone who is extremely red in the face due to embarrassment

"She was red as a cherry."

"After tripping in front of everyone, he was as red as a cherry."

to regret or feel bad about what one has said earlier

"He must eat dirt."

"After his harsh words, he had to eat dirt and apologize sincerely."