a huge embarrassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a huge embarrassment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes significant shame or humiliation. Example: "For the company, the product recall was a huge embarrassment that affected their reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a huge embarrassment".

The New York Times

"Energy efficiency has become a huge embarrassment.

Independent

It is a huge embarrassment for Britain.

The Guardian

THE Philippines is a huge embarrassment to McDonald's.

The Economist

Leicester are currently on a tour of Thailand and the footage will be a huge embarrassment.

Independent

The disruption of the summit meeting was a huge embarrassment to the government.

The New York Times

"It was a huge embarrassment," Risa Ferman, Montgomery County's district attorney, told me.

The New Yorker

The ensuing furore was a huge embarrassment to Biden and helped scupper his campaign.

The Guardian

It would be a huge embarrassment in view of the Supreme Leader's fatwa against nuclear weapons.

The Guardian

August 29, 2013 James Forsyth (@JGForsyth) Result today a huge embarrassment to Cameron.

The Guardian

"It's such a huge embarrassment," said Barbara Keane of South Salem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a huge embarrassment", consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. It works well in news reports or general discussions but may be too informal for academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "huge" in overly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, consider stronger synonyms like "significant", "considerable", or "substantial" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a huge embarrassment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or direct object. It describes something that causes significant shame, awkwardness, or humiliation, as seen in Ludwig AI examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a huge embarrassment" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations that cause significant shame or humiliation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usage, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider the context and audience to ensure appropriateness, opting for more formal synonyms like "significant" or "substantial" in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase serves to express disapproval and highlight the negative consequences of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major embarrassment

Changes "huge" to "major", indicating a significant but possibly less extreme level of embarrassment.

a great shame

Replaces "embarrassment" with "shame", focusing on the feeling of disgrace associated with the situation.

a complete humiliation

Emphasizes the depth of the embarrassment by using "complete humiliation".

a total disgrace

Substitutes "embarrassment" with "disgrace", highlighting the unacceptable nature of the situation.

an utter mortification

Uses "utter mortification" to convey intense shame and embarrassment.

a crushing blow to one's pride

Focuses on the impact on one's self-esteem and reputation.

a source of deep shame

Highlights the enduring and profound nature of the shame experienced.

a humiliating spectacle

Shifts the focus to the public nature of the embarrassment.

a regrettable incident

Downplays the severity by referring to it as a regrettable incident rather than emphasizing the shame.

an awkward situation

Minimizes the negative impact by calling it merely an awkward situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a huge embarrassment" in a sentence?

You can use "a huge embarrassment" to describe a situation or event that causes significant shame or humiliation. For example, "The product recall was "a huge embarrassment" for the company.".

What are some alternatives to saying "a huge embarrassment"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a major disgrace", "a significant humiliation", or "a complete disaster".

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "a huge embarrassment"?

While generally acceptable, using "a huge embarrassment" might be too informal for academic or highly professional writing. Consider more formal alternatives in such settings.

What's the difference between "a huge embarrassment" and "a slight embarrassment"?

"A huge embarrassment" implies a substantial level of shame or humiliation, while "a slight embarrassment" suggests a minor or less impactful awkwardness.