cause embarrassment for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause embarrassment for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that lead to someone feeling embarrassed or humiliated. Example: "His comments during the meeting caused embarrassment for several team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the issue had potential to cause embarrassment for Trump, whose long trail of Twitter messages often comes back to haunt him.

The Guardian

It could also cause embarrassment for banks, particularly if they had not marked down securities they owned to the level at which they were prepared to buy them.

The New York Times

David Cameron could cause embarrassment for Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, by insisting that corporate tax avoidance is a central issue at G20 summit in Brisbane on Friday.

The Guardian

The comments are likely to cause embarrassment for Cameron, who is seeking to occupy the political centre ground in a bid to modernise the party and shed its traditional right-wing image.

The Guardian

The alleged incident, which happened just days after two police officers, Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, were shot dead near Manchester, is likely to cause embarrassment for David Cameron.

The Guardian

In the letter, the ambassador's wife, who is a cultural attaché in Dublin, suggested that photographs of the activists should be published to "cause embarrassment for their friends in Israel and their family".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Trump upended one spending agreement, after signaling acceptance, which caused the government to shut down for a record length of time and caused embarrassment for McConnell.

The Washington Post

Rising food bank use caused embarrassment for the coalition, which was regularly forced to deny that the phenomenon was linked to its welfare reforms.

The Guardian

His stolen emails were released publicly in the final weeks of the presidential election campaign and caused embarrassment for their blunt assessments of various matters.

The Washington Post

The controversy surrounding foreign acquisitions intensified last year when American food company Kraft launched a hostile – and ultimately successful – bid for chocolate maker Cadbury, causing embarrassment for ministers.

The Guardian - Business

Pakistan's prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, spoke for many when he said accusations against the team "have caused embarrassment for the entire nation".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cause embarrassment for" to describe actions or situations that lead to someone feeling ashamed or humiliated, especially in professional or public contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cause embarrassment for" in overly casual or informal settings. Opt for alternatives like "embarrass" or "shame" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause embarrassment for" functions as a causative verb phrase. It describes an action or event that results in someone experiencing embarrassment. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause embarrassment for" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that attributes the reason for a someone's feeling of shame or humiliation. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage. It's primarily found in news and media contexts, indicating events that reflect poorly on individuals or entities. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional settings. Remember to use it precisely to convey the cause-and-effect relationship of actions leading to embarrassment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humiliate

Directly emphasizes the act of causing someone to feel ashamed.

mortify

Implies extreme embarrassment and shame.

bring shame upon

Focuses on the act of causing shame, rather than general embarrassment.

dishonor

Implies a severe loss of reputation or respect.

make a laughingstock of

Highlights the ridicule and public humiliation.

put to shame

Emphasizes surpassing or outdoing someone in a negative context.

discredit

Highlights damaging someone's reputation or credibility.

chagrin

Highlights a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or failure. It's more emotional-centered.

compromise

Focuses on exposing someone to suspicion or disrepute.

offend

Focuses on causing displeasure or hurt feelings, potentially leading to embarrassment.

FAQs

How can I use "cause embarrassment for" in a sentence?

You can use "cause embarrassment for" to describe situations where someone's actions or words lead to another person feeling ashamed or humiliated. For example, "His inappropriate jokes caused embarrassment for his colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "cause embarrassment for"?

Alternatives include "humiliate", "shame", "mortify", or "dishonor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause embarrassment to" or "cause embarrassment for"?

"Cause embarrassment for" is generally preferred when indicating who experiences the embarrassment. "Cause embarrassment to" can also be used, but is slightly less common.

What's the difference between "cause embarrassment for" and "lead to embarrassment for"?

"Cause embarrassment for" directly implies a causative action, whereas "lead to embarrassment for" suggests a sequence of events resulting in embarrassment. They are largely interchangeable, but the latter emphasizes a process.