cringe about

USAGE SUMMARY

"cringe about" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. Example sentence: I cringed about having to make a speech in front of the whole class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And what makes you cringe about it?

The Guardian

Splashed from the street and rain-whipped from above, the wet throngs trying to cross 35th Street at Fifth Avenue didn't need yet another reason to cringe about rainy days in the city.

The New York Times

They don't deal any more, they just do stuff for "persie" – personal use only; they now cringe about the drug dealing references because they're now making enough money to buy the things they've always wanted without all that.

The Guardian - Music

The left has normally been associated with the cringe about Britain's past, and Cameron wrote two years ago that the last Conservative government "gave the country a new confidence that we weren't the sick man of Europe".

The Guardian

I first captained Zimbabwe when I was 25 and when I look back now at some of the mistakes I made then in the way you speak to some people, deal with tactics on the field or deal with team talks, sometimes I cringe about some of the things I did.

Independent

I still cringe about that thought today.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Throwaway comments aren't the only thing she cringes about now.

The Guardian - Music

He still cringes about losses he believes he could have turned into victories, but he has been single-minded since his return.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, when I was 11, Mum decided that the time had come to buy me my first bra by catching me unawares and feeling my breasts (funny now, but I cringed about that one for years).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I know that I'll always spend a decent amount of time cringing about my own goofiness; I may never learn to go to bed on time; I will always be a little too in love with pop music, including "Earth Angel" and "The Power of Love".

The New Yorker

Walker called the speech "that one moment, which I cringed about" on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Friday.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cringe about" to express a feeling of discomfort or embarrassment when reflecting on past actions or events. For example, "I still cringe about that awkward moment at the party."

Common error

Avoid using "cringe about" for situations that evoke strong feelings of anger or sadness. Reserve it for moments of awkwardness or mild embarrassment. Use "be appalled by" or "grieve about" for those instances instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cringe about" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a feeling of embarrassment or discomfort regarding a particular subject. It suggests a reflexive action where one feels unease when thinking about something, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cringe about" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon phrase used to express feelings of embarrassment, discomfort, or regret when reflecting on something. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently appears in News & Media sources. The phrase is best suited for expressing mild embarrassment rather than strong feelings. When writing, it's advisable to consider alternatives like "feel embarrassed about" or "feel ashamed of" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Despite its validity, "cringe about" may not be the most impactful choice in formal or academic contexts. However, Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and contextual appropriateness in numerous instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel embarrassed about

Focuses on the feeling of embarrassment rather than the physical reaction of cringing.

feel ashamed of

Implies a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing than "cringe about".

be mortified by

Suggests a more intense level of embarrassment and humiliation.

feel awkward about

Emphasizes the discomfort and unease associated with a situation.

regret

Focuses on the feeling of remorse or sorrow about something.

feel uncomfortable with

Highlights the feeling of unease and discomfort in a particular situation.

wince at

Focuses on the physical reaction to something unpleasant or painful.

recoil from

Suggests a strong sense of aversion or disgust.

be aghast at

Implies a feeling of shock and horror.

be appalled by

Indicates a strong feeling of disgust and outrage.

FAQs

How can I use "cringe about" in a sentence?

You can use "cringe about" to express feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable when thinking about something. For example, "I cringe about the things I said when I was younger."

What is a good alternative to "cringe about"?

Alternatives to "cringe about" include "feel embarrassed about", "feel ashamed of", or "regret", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I cringe about something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "cringe about" to describe feeling embarrassment or discomfort when reflecting on something.

What's the difference between "cringe about" and "be ashamed of"?

"Cringe about" typically refers to a feeling of mild embarrassment or awkwardness, while "feel ashamed of" implies a stronger sense of guilt or wrongdoing. The first focuses on a reaction, the second focuses on the cause.