1
general::
embarrassment
adjectives
great embarrassment
• To my great embarrassment, my dad started dancing.
severe/extreme embarrassment
• This scandal could cause severe embarrassment to the government.
considerable embarrassment
(= quite strong )
• His behaviour was a source of considerable embarrassment to his family.
acute embarrassment
(= very strong and not lasting very long )
• There was a moment of acute embarrassment when we realized people were watching.
further embarrassment
(= extra or additional )
• His resignation should save the government any further embarrassment.
potential embarrassment
(= possible )
• By dropping out of the competition, he was spared the potential embarrassment of losing.
obvious embarrassment
(= clear for other people to see )
• He shuffled his feet around in obvious embarrassment.
cause embarrassment
• Some of his jokes caused embarrassment to the older members of the audience.
avoid embarrassment
• This solution could help both countries avoid embarrassment.
hide your embarrassment
• She started laughing in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.
phrases
a source of embarrassment
(= a cause of embarrassment )
• His views on immigration were a constant source of embarrassment to the party.
embarrassment 2
verbs
be/become an embarrassment
• Your behaviour is becoming an embarrassment to the school.
be considered an embarrassment
(= be thought of as embarrassing )
• He may be popular abroad, but he's considered an embarrassment at home.
prove an embarrassment
(= be an embarrassment )
• The publication of the documents proved a severe embarrassment to the company.
adjectives
a big/severe embarrassment
• This failure was a severe embarrassment to the government.
a huge embarrassment
(= very big or severe )
• If the story is true, it could prove a huge embarrassment to the star.
a serious/major embarrassment
(= severe and important )
• This episode has been a serious embarrassment for the club.
an acute embarrassment
(= extremely severe and important )
• Her memoirs were an acute embarrassment to the president.
a considerable embarrassment
(= quite severe )
• The photograph was a considerable embarrassment to the royal family.
transnet.ir
2
general::
noun feeling of being embarrassed ADJ. acute, considerable, great, intense, severe | total | slight She smiled to hide her slight embarrassment. | further | obvious | silent VERB + EMBARRASSMENT feel I felt some embarrassment as we shook hands. | cover, hide | cause | avoid The government wishes to avoid further embarrassment over the affair. | blush/flush with, giggle with, squirm with I still squirm with embarrassment at the thought of it. | die from/of (figurative) I could have died of embarrassment when I saw her standing behind me. | ease, relieve | save sb, spare sb Helen changed the subject to save me the embarrassment of replying. PREP. in ~ We all watched in silent embarrassment as Mr Rogers started to cry. | with/without ~ I could finally talk about my problem without embarrassment. | ~ at her embarrassment at being found out | ~ over the government's embarrassment over the affair PHRASES (much) to sb's embarrassment Much to his embarrassment, Mike realized that a small crowd was watching him. | feelings of embarrassment, a flush of embarrassment A flush of embarrassment came to her cheeks. | a source of embarrassment sb/sth that makes you embarrassed ADJ. considerable, great, huge, major, serious, severe | potential | financial, political, social VERB + EMBARRASSMENT be, become, prove The protests were becoming something of an embarrassment to the government. | consider sb/sth PREP. ~ for The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned. | ~ to The poor child was considered an embarrassment to his family.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary