shame someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shame someone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of causing someone to feel embarrassed or guilty about their actions or behavior. Example: "She tried to shame him for his poor decision." Alternative expressions include "humiliate someone," "embarrass someone," and "disgrace someone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's a shame someone got hurt because of this.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am not going anywhere!" "Shame!" someone cried.

The New Yorker

Why do we shame someone when 90% fail?

The Guardian

Why do we shame someone when so many people are suffering?

The Guardian

It's a shame, someone once said, that all the people with the solution to the world's problems are busy cutting hair and driving cabs.

The Guardian - Sport

As someone who has worked in the field of mental health and body image for almost a decade, I can say with some authority that trying to shame someone into changing their lifestyle or their weight is hardly ever effective.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It can be a pointed way of shaming someone who asks for a bribe.

The Economist

"Shaming someone who is less efficient than his neighbors produces 2% results; shaming someone who is less efficient than his neighbors and giving him a free cup of coffee gets you 5%," Lurie said.

The Guardian

And these are the kind of things that, while it might feel great to get five million views shaming someone who didn't leave you a tip, on the flipside, that is going to come back to you".

BBC

But Gawker outing Condé Nast's CFO serves no purpose other than to gay-shame someone who isn't even a public figure -- he's a private person with a powerful brother.

Huffington Post

Shaming someone you care about for their emotional response is the absolute pits; the only thing worse is when you do it to yourself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shame someone", consider the potential impact of your words. Aim to address harmful behavior constructively rather than simply inducing feelings of guilt or humiliation. Direct the focus to the behavior, not the person.

Common error

Avoid using "shame someone" for trivial mistakes or differences of opinion. Overusing it can dilute its impact and create a hostile environment. Reserve it for situations involving genuine harm or unethical behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shame someone" functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase. It describes an action (shaming) directed towards a recipient (someone). Ludwig AI indicates that is correct. Examples show it being used to describe attempts to induce feelings of guilt or embarrassment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shame someone" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the act of inducing feelings of guilt, embarrassment, or disgrace in another person. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently found in News & Media contexts, used to describe attempts to discourage negative behaviors or criticize actions. While the phrase itself is neutral, it's crucial to consider the impact of shaming and to use it responsibly. Alternatives like "humiliate someone", "embarrass someone", and "disgrace someone" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humiliate someone

Focuses on the act of lowering someone's dignity or pride.

disgrace someone

Emphasizes the act of bringing dishonor or disrepute upon someone.

embarrass someone

Highlights the act of causing someone to feel self-conscious or awkward.

stigmatize someone

Implies marking someone with disgrace or disapproval, often leading to social exclusion.

bring shame upon someone

Rephrases the action to emphasize the effect of shame on the person.

make someone feel ashamed

Shifts the focus to the internal feeling of shame experienced by the person.

put someone to shame

Highlights surpassing someone in a particular quality or action, often implying comparison.

reproach someone

Highlights the act of expressing disapproval or criticism.

chastise someone

Emphasizes the act of scolding or rebuking someone for their actions.

condemn someone

Implies a strong expression of disapproval, often with legal or moral implications.

FAQs

How can I use "shame someone" in a sentence?

You can use "shame someone" to describe the act of making someone feel guilty or embarrassed about something they have done. For example, "The article tried to "shame someone" into apologizing for their actions."

What are some alternatives to "shame someone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "humiliate someone", "embarrass someone", or "disgrace someone".

Is it always wrong to "shame someone"?

While shaming can be harmful, there are cases where it can be used as a tool to discourage negative behaviour. However, it should be used carefully and thoughtfully, focusing on the behaviour rather than attacking the person. It is best to use alternative approaches when possible.

What is the difference between "shame someone" and "guilt trip someone"?

"Shame someone" generally means causing someone to feel embarrassed or disgraced. "Guilt trip someone" involves making someone feel guilty in order to manipulate them into doing something they don't want to do. Both involve negative emotions, but "guilt trip someone" has a manipulative intent.