IdiomNature
English
Englishwish the ground would swallow one up
Meaning: To feel so embarrassed that one wants to disappear.
Example: “When my phone rang during the funeral, I wished the ground would swallow me up.”
Origin: An image of escaping shame by vanishing into the earth. The phrase is common in English from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Polish: zapaść się pod ziemię Literally: To sink into the earth
More English idioms
- have one's head screwed on To be sensible and practical.
- a ballpark figure A rough estimate.
- a bird-brain A silly or scatterbrained person.
- toss one's cookies To vomit.
- put on a brave face To look cheerful or confident while feeling otherwise.
- throw up one's hands To show that one gives up, in despair or frustration.
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