Example
“He predicted a landslide and ended up with egg on his face.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
keep a straight face
CEFR B2To remain serious and avoid smiling or laughing in an amusing or awkward moment.
Neutral
lose face
CEFR B2lose other people's respect through public embarrassment or humiliation
Neutral
nest egg
CEFR B2a sum of money saved for retirement or the future
Neutral
save face
CEFR B2to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure
Neutral
walk on eggshells
CEFR B2to act very carefully to avoid upsetting someone
Informal
chicken-and-egg problem
CEFR C1a situation in which two things each depend on the other, so neither can get started
Neutral
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.