egg on one's face
Shame after failure
To have egg on one's face is to be embarrassed by a mistake or failed prediction, especially a public one: The pollsters had egg on their faces after the upset victory.
The image suggests the messy aftermath of a mishap—visible evidence of having gotten something wrong.
Painful awareness of failure
- disgraceLoss of honor
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- indignityHumiliating or degrading treatment
comeuppance · discredit · dishonor · ignominy · abasement · degradation · reproach · scandal
Wrong action or decision
- gaffeClumsy social error
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- misstepError in action or judgment
- errorFault in communication
oversight · miscalculation · slip · botch · bungle · flub · fumble · goof
Embarrassed and timid
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- chagrinedDistressed by disappointment
- humiliatedMade to feel worthless
- abashedEmbarrassed and disconcerted
ashamed · flustered · awkward · self-conscious · crestfallen · disconcerted · shamefaced · foolish
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- disgraceLoss of honor
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
indignity · comeuppance · discredit · dishonor · ignominy · abasement · degradation · reproach · scandal · disrepute
mistake
Wrong action or decision
error · oversight · miscalculation · slip · botch · bungle · flub · fumble · goof · howler
sheepish
Embarrassed and timid
- mortifiedIntensely embarrassed
- chagrinedDistressed by disappointment
- humiliatedMade to feel worthless
abashed · ashamed · flustered · awkward · self-conscious · crestfallen · disconcerted · shamefaced · foolish · stupid
egg on one's facevindication
Clearance of blame
vindicated · triumph · validation · glory · feather in one's cap
egg on one's facepride
Satisfaction from one's achievements
proud · dignified · walking tall · head held high · on top of the world
face, surface, faced, eggs, faces, facial, facetious, deface, preface