avoid the embarrassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the embarrassment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or decisions taken to prevent feeling ashamed or awkward in a situation. Example: "She decided to practice her speech multiple times to avoid the embarrassment of forgetting her lines in front of the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People in the discussions wanted to avoid the embarrassment of being proved wrong.

The New York Times

Kids will do anything to avoid the embarrassment of admitting they're homeless.

The Washington Post

We had understood that his resignation was coming to avoid the embarrassment of impeachment.

The Guardian

Eager to avoid the embarrassment of a series loss, Gavaskar promised an under-prepared pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he had entered that plea to avoid the embarrassment of a trial.

The New York Times

Moreover, he said, the company would like to avoid the embarrassment of having its mistakes paraded in open court.

The New York Times

They turn down invitations to visit friends to avoid the embarrassment of not being able to bring something.

The New York Times

It is extremely important here to avoid the embarrassment of becoming the first host nation not to advance.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Ahern's party is determined to avoid the embarrassment it suffered last year when voters turned it down.

The New York Times

But will it take more than wizardry to avoid the embarrassment of a fiscal takeover by a state oversight board?

The New York Times

The latest drama prompted questions that he was using a health scare to avoid the embarrassment of appearing in court.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the audience and use an alternative that matches the level of formality. For example, use "forestall an embarrassing outcome" in formal documents and "dodge the shame" in informal contexts.

Common error

While "avoid the embarrassment" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "mitigate feelings of awkwardness" or "forestall an embarrassing outcome" to add sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the embarrassment" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It often appears as part of a larger clause, explaining the reason behind an action. As Ludwig suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid the embarrassment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase expressing the intention to prevent a shameful or awkward situation. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely applicable across various writing registers, with a predominant presence in news, media, and business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider substituting more formal or informal alternatives like "forestall an embarrassing outcome" or "dodge the shame" depending on your audience. It's also useful to avoid overusing this specific phrase in formal contexts by incorporating related phrases to enhance readability and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent feeling ashamed

Focuses on the emotional aspect, using 'ashamed' instead of 'embarrassment'.

avert an awkward situation

Replaces 'embarrassment' with 'awkward situation', suggesting a slightly less intense feeling.

preclude an awkward moment

Substitutes 'embarrassment' with 'awkward moment' and uses the more formal 'preclude'.

sidestep potential humiliation

Uses stronger words like 'sidestep' and 'humiliation' to emphasize avoidance.

head off potential awkwardness

Uses 'head off' to indicate proactive prevention of awkwardness.

forestall an embarrassing outcome

More formal, using 'forestall' to mean prevent and focusing on the outcome.

shield oneself from shame

Focuses on protecting oneself from shame, rather than preventing the situation entirely.

dodge the shame

More informal, using 'dodge' and 'shame' to simplify the concept.

mitigate feelings of awkwardness

Implies reducing the intensity of awkwardness rather than complete avoidance.

circumvent public disgrace

Emphasizes the public aspect of the embarrassment with 'public disgrace'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid the embarrassment" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "forestall an embarrassing outcome" or "preclude an awkward moment". These options add a layer of sophistication suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is there a more casual way to say "avoid the embarrassment"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "dodge the shame" or "avert an awkward situation" for a more relaxed and informal tone. These options are appropriate for everyday conversations.

When is it best to use "avoid the embarrassment"?

The phrase "avoid the embarrassment" is suitable when you want to express the act of preventing a situation that could cause feelings of shame or awkwardness. It is commonly used in various contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig, including news, sports, and business.

What's the difference between "avoid the embarrassment" and "prevent the humiliation"?

While both phrases express the idea of preventing a negative experience, "avoid the embarrassment" focuses on preventing a feeling of awkwardness or mild shame, while "prevent the humiliation"/"sidestep potential humiliation" suggests preventing a more severe and public loss of dignity.