make one's toes curl
Cause intense cringing
To make one's toes curl is to produce an intense physical or emotional reaction.
The reaction can be positive—sexual pleasure or excitement that causes involuntary clenching: That kiss made my toes curl.
Or it can be negative—embarrassment or discomfort so acute you want to disappear: His speech was so awkward it made my toes curl.
Context usually clarifies which.
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- secondhand embarrassmentCringing for another person
- shiverInvoluntary trembling sensation
- public humiliationDeliberate degradation before witnesses
- goosebumpsRaised skin from cold
tingle · embarrassment · mortification · clench · awkwardness · squirm · exhilaration · flush · romantic tension · butterflies in stomach · weak in the knees · thrill · tremble · discomfort · sweat · wince · unease · guilty pleasure