顔から火が出る

Meaning: To burn with embarrassment.

Language: Japanese

Literally: Fire comes out of the face

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The fierce heat of a deeply ashamed face is pictured as actual flames bursting forth.

More idioms — Body & Senses

• 발 벗고 나서다 — To throw yourself into helping wholeheartedly.
• Met de mond vol tanden staan — To be tongue-tied and lost for words.
• Μασάω τα λόγια μου — To mumble and not speak plainly.
• नाक रगड़ना — To grovel and beg humbly.
• שבר את הראש — To rack your brains over something.
• Olla pinna kireällä — To be on edge and short-tempered.

More Japanese idioms

• 猫の手も借りたい — I'm so busy I'll take help from anyone.
• 猿も木から落ちる — Even experts make mistakes.
• 花より団子 — Substance over style; practicality over beauty.
• 猫をかぶる — To hide one's true nature; to act innocent.
• 馬の耳に念仏 — Wasted advice on someone who won't listen.
• 雀の涙 — A pitifully small amount.

← Back to Idioms

Loading the full interactive collection…