Egg on your face

Definitions

• experience embarrassment or humiliation
  To feel embarrassed or foolish due to one's own actions or mistakes

• cause embarrassment or humiliation
  To do something that causes another person to feel embarrassed or foolish

Examples of Egg on your face

• After making a fool of himself in front of his colleagues, John felt egg on his face.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone has made a mistake or done something embarrassing, causing them to feel ashamed or embarrassed. The phrase "egg on your face" refers to the image of someone with a smeared or broken egg on their face, which is a humiliating and embarrassing sight.

• During the presentation, Sarah accidentally spilled coffee all over her shirt, leaving her with egg on her face.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used in a different context, where Sarah's mistake during the presentation resulted in her feeling embarrassed and ashamed.

• The politician's opponent repeatedly egged him on during the debate, causing him to make several errors and blunders.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe how someone's actions or words can provoke or goad another person into making a mistake or doing something embarrassing.

• After the team's disastrous performance in the game, they left the field with egg on their faces.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a group of people who have collectively made a mistake or done something embarrassing.

• The comedian's joke fell flat, leaving him with egg on his face.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone's attempt at humor or entertainment has failed miserably, causing them to feel embarrassed and ashamed.

Conclusion

The idiom "egg on your face" is used to describe a feeling of embarrassment or humiliation, either as a result of one's own actions or due to the actions of others. It can be used in a variety of situations, from social faux pas to public mistakes, to indicate a sense of shame or regret.

The first meaning of the idiom refers to the experience of feeling embarrassed or foolish. This can be caused by one's own actions, such as making a mistake or saying something embarrassing, or it can be a result of circumstances beyond one's control. In this sense, the idiom is often used to express a sense of regret or disappointment in oneself.

The second meaning of the idiom refers to the act of causing embarrassment or humiliation to someone else. This can be intentional or unintentional, and can be done through words or actions. In this sense, the idiom is often used to describe someone who has made a mistake or behaved in a foolish manner, causing embarrassment to themselves or others.

Origin of "Egg on your face"

The origin of the idiom "egg on your face" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. Some sources suggest that it may have come from the tradition of throwing eggs at performers who failed on stage, while others believe it may have originated from the practice of using eggs to humiliate prisoners.

Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a popular and widely used phrase to describe feelings of embarrassment or humiliation. It is often used in a lighthearted manner, but can also carry a sense of shame or regret. The use of the word "egg" in the idiom adds a sense of silliness or absurdity to the situation, making it a more playful and humorous way to describe a potentially embarrassing moment.