shame

Everyday

1. Shame is the bad, hot feeling you have when you know you did something wrong or silly and others may know. tree →
2. «It's a shame» or «what a shame» means it is sad or a pity. tree →
3. To shame someone is to make them feel bad or embarrassed, often in front of others. tree →
4. «Shame on you» is a way of telling someone they behaved badly. tree →

In the lessons

In stories about feelings, a character feels shame after lying or cheating and wants to hide; owning up often makes shame go away. In everyday talk «It's a shame» just means «that's sad»: «It's a shame it rained». In safety and kindness lessons: we should not shame others, and a child who is hurt or tricked has nothing to be ashamed of.

Examples

• He felt shame when he saw the vase he had broken. tree →
• It's a shame you can't come to the party. tree →
• What a shame the zoo was closed! tree →
• Shame on you for teasing your little brother! tree →
• She hung her head in shame. tree →
• Making fun of someone to shame them is unkind. tree →
• There is no shame in asking for help. tree →
• His good mark shamed the others into working harder. tree →
• Oh, I shall die of shame and despair!’ tree →

Note

Shame is usually uncountable as a feeling («full of shame»), but «a shame» means a pity. The adjective is «ashamed» (I am ashamed), not «shamed». «Shameful» means very bad; «shameless» means without shame. Shame is different from «embarrassment», which can be about small accidents that are not wrong.

In Jewish tradition

Shame is the disgrace and hurt of being shown to be wrong or defeated. The psalmist prays "put me not to shame," meaning let me not be disappointed or beaten by enemies. Proverbs teaches that pride leads to shame, while humble people have wisdom.

Interpretation. Tradition teaches that shaming another person in public is a very serious wrong.

Examples

• And Judah said: 'Let her take it, lest we be put to shame; behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.' (Torah GEN.38.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• So he returned with shame of face to his own land. (Writings 2CH.32.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• I cleave unto Thy testimonies; O LORD, put me not to shame. (Writings PSA.119.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. (Writings PRO.11.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Shame is usually uncountable as a feeling («full of shame»), but «a shame» means a pity. The adjective is «ashamed» (I am ashamed), not «shamed». «Shameful» means very bad; «shameless» means without shame. Shame is different from «embarrassment», which can be about small accidents that are not wrong.