embarrass

Everyday

1. To embarrass someone means to make them feel shy, silly or uncomfortable in front of others. tree →
2. To be embarrassed means to feel that way. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and PSHE lessons we learn that everyone gets embarrassed sometimes — tripping in public, getting an answer wrong — and that we should not embarrass others on purpose. In stories embarrassed characters blush, look down or want to hide. Phrases: «embarrass someone», «be embarrassed about», «embarrassed to say».

Examples

• Please don't embarrass me in front of my friends! tree →
• He was embarrassed when he called the teacher «Mum». tree →
• I felt embarrassed about my messy room. tree →
• Dad embarrasses me when he dances. tree →
• She was too embarrassed to ask for help. tree →
• Don't be embarrassed — everyone makes mistakes. tree →
• They embarrassed him by laughing at his drawing. tree →
• I was embarrassed that I forgot her name. tree →

Note

One of the hardest spellings: double r AND double s — e-m-b-a-r-r-a-s-s. Noun: embarrassment. «Embarrassed» = how you feel; «embarrassing» = what causes it. False friend: Spanish «embarazada» means pregnant, not embarrassed.