it was mortifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was mortifying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that caused extreme embarrassment or shame. Example: "When I tripped and fell in front of everyone at the party, it was mortifying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was mortifying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it was mortifying to do the scene.

The New York Times

In high school, it was mortifying to hand over tickets for free or reduced-price school lunches.

The Guardian - Opinion

I thought I was absolutely gorgeous, and it was mortifying to reach 15 and realise I wasn't Jerry Hall.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In those days, it was mortifying not to be married, so I had to have a thing, so what could be better?

The New Yorker

All I remember is being left with loads of other children at the kids' club and being made to stand up and do a performance in front of all the adults one night; it was mortifying.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's mortifying.

The New Yorker

"It's mortifying for her, it's mortifying for us, it's mortifying for everybody involved".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's mortifying for her, it's mortifying for us, it's mortifying for everybody involved". Elisabetta said: "I feel sorry that we ended up in that situation, that she [Lawson] did admit to that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When you spend many hours in a room aloneyou have more than the usual chances to disgust yourself — this is the problem of the body, not that it is mortalbut that it is mortifying.

The New Yorker

It is mortifying to be part of a society in which a minority feels under threat". "The difficulty has to do with the nature of national identity; and the American model is the one we... should attempt to plagiarise.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was mortifying" to describe situations where someone experiences a strong sense of shame or embarrassment due to a public or personal event. This phrase is effective for conveying the intensity of the feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "it was mortifying" for minor inconveniences or slight embarrassments. The phrase carries a strong emotional weight and is best reserved for situations that genuinely cause significant shame or humiliation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was mortifying" functions as a descriptive statement. It expresses a subjective experience of intense embarrassment or shame. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in conveying personal reactions to awkward or humiliating situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was mortifying" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations that cause significant embarrassment or shame. Ludwig AI analysis, backed by numerous examples from reliable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, confirms its widespread use in News & Media. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for genuinely humiliating events, avoiding its overuse in trivial situations. Alternatives such as "it was humiliating" or "it was deeply embarrassing" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emotional nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was humiliating

Replaces "mortifying" with "humiliating", focusing on the aspect of feeling degraded or lowered in status.

it was deeply embarrassing

Emphasizes the intensity of the embarrassment felt.

it was utterly shameful

Highlights the feeling of shame associated with the situation.

it was cringeworthy

Indicates a situation that causes one to cringe due to awkwardness or embarrassment.

it was so awkward

Focuses on the uncomfortable and clumsy nature of the situation.

it was a complete disgrace

Suggests the situation was dishonorable and caused a loss of respect.

it was a painful experience

Emphasizes the emotional discomfort caused by the event.

it made me want to disappear

Expresses the strong desire to escape the embarrassing situation.

I wanted the ground to swallow me up

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme embarrassment and a desire to vanish.

it was a total nightmare

Implies the situation was extremely unpleasant and difficult to endure.

FAQs

What does "it was mortifying" mean?

The phrase "it was mortifying" means that something caused extreme embarrassment or shame. It suggests that the situation was deeply humiliating and uncomfortable.

What can I say instead of "it was mortifying"?

You can use alternatives like "it was humiliating", "it was deeply embarrassing", or "it was utterly shameful" depending on the context.

Is "it was mortifying" a formal expression?

The phrase "it was mortifying" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts to describe a deeply embarrassing situation.

How do I use "it was mortifying" in a sentence?

You can use "it was mortifying" to describe an event or experience that caused you or someone else significant embarrassment. For example: "When I tripped on stage, "it was mortifying"."