red in the face

red in the face

1. Showing signs of embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. My dad started telling an embarrassing story about me as a toddler, leaving me red in the face in front of my date. I could hear people making fun of me during my speech, so I was pretty red in the face by the time I finished.

2. Showing signs of physical exertion or strain. I was red in the face from pulling on the door, but it wouldn't budge an inch. You can complain about it till you're red in the face, but we're going to grandma's house for Christmas whether you like it or not.

See also: face, red

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

red in the face

Fig. embarrassed. After we found Ann hiding in the closet, she became red in the face. The speaker kept making errors and became red in the face.

See also: face, red

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.