embarrass myself

USAGE SUMMARY

"embarrass myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when you do something that causes you to feel embarrassed or ashamed. For example: I was so tired that I tripped and embarrassed myself in front of my friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wouldn't embarrass myself".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm going to embarrass myself.

Harvard Business Review

I'm not coming back to embarrass myself.

The New York Times - Sports

If I'm acting, it's hard to embarrass myself.

The New York Times

I didn't want to come out here and embarrass myself.

The New York Times - Sports

So I didn't embarrass myself, which was a result.

The Guardian - Sport

I embarrass myself on a daily basis Particularly after I've had a glass of wine.

Independent

I don't want to embarrass myself any further by repeating it.

The New York Times

I did not want to embarrass myself with a ridiculously slow time.

The New York Times - Health

You work on fear, like I hope I don't embarrass myself.

The New York Times

Before we sat down, you said, "I just didn't want to embarrass myself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "embarrass myself", consider the degree of self-consciousness you want to convey. Alternatives like "make a fool of myself" might be more appropriate for humorous contexts, while "disgrace myself" suggests a more serious situation.

Common error

Ensure that the action genuinely reflects back on the subject. Avoid using "embarrass myself" when the embarrassment is caused by someone else's actions; in such cases, phrases like "be embarrassed" or "feel embarrassed" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "embarrass myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of embarrassing is directed back to the subject. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used to describe instances where someone's own actions or words lead to their own feeling of shame or awkwardness. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "embarrass myself" is a common and grammatically sound reflexive verb phrase used to express the act of causing oneself to feel ashamed or foolish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in news and media, conveying a desire to avoid awkward or shameful situations. While there aren't any major grammatical errors to be worried about with this construction, consider the specific context when choosing synonyms; "humiliate myself" suggests a more severe level of shame, while "make a fool of myself" emphasizes appearing ridiculous. Remember that using "embarrass myself" correctly is a crucial part of ensuring clear and confident communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make myself look bad

General term for doing something that negatively impacts one's image.

make a fool of myself

Focuses on the act of appearing foolish or ridiculous to others.

show myself up

Common British idiom emphasizing the act of embarrassing oneself.

humiliate myself

Emphasizes a more severe level of shame or disgrace compared to simply feeling embarrassed.

make an ass of myself

A stronger, more vulgar way to say "make a fool of myself".

disgrace myself

Highlights the act of bringing dishonor or shame upon oneself.

do something shameful

Highlights the action that leads to feeling embarrassment.

look ridiculous

Centers on the outward appearance of being silly or absurd.

lose face

Implies a loss of reputation or respect in the eyes of others.

put my foot in it

Idiomatic phrase for saying something tactless or embarrassing.

FAQs

How can I use "embarrass myself" in a sentence?

You can use "embarrass myself" to describe situations where your own actions cause you to feel ashamed or foolish. For example: "I didn't want to "embarrass myself" during the presentation, so I practiced thoroughly."

What's the difference between "embarrass myself" and "humiliate myself"?

"Embarrass myself" generally implies a lighter, less severe feeling of awkwardness, while "humiliate myself" suggests a deeper sense of shame or disgrace. The choice depends on the intensity of the situation.

Are there more formal alternatives to "embarrass myself"?

While "embarrass myself" is acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives could include "disgrace myself" or "compromise my dignity", although these carry stronger connotations.

Is it correct to say "I am embarrassing myself"?

Yes, "I am embarrassing myself" is grammatically correct. It indicates that you are currently in the process of doing something that is causing you embarrassment. The simple form ""embarrass myself"" implies a general intention or potential outcome.