Feel like an idiot – Meaning and Usage

Meaning 1：feel stupid (Feel like an idiot)

Feel like an idiot 🔊

/ˌfiːl ˌlaɪk ən ˈɪdi.ət/

phr.

To feel very stupid or foolish, especially after making a mistake or doing something silly.

Person feeling like an idiot with embarrassed expression

feel stupid 🔊

➕

/ˌfiːl ˈstuːpɪd/

phr.

To experience a strong sense of foolishness or embarrassment, typically after doing something silly or making a mistake.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combines 'feel' (experience) and 'like an idiot' (fool); means embarrassment.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture yourself tripping on stage and hearing laughter; that instant regret is 'feeling like an idiot'.

📖 Example

At the party, I called my new colleague by my old coworker's name and immediately felt like an idiot. 🔊 At the party, I called my new colleague by my old coworker's name and immediately felt like an idiot.

🔗 Collocations

feel like an idiot for – to experience embarrassment because of a specific action

make someone feel like an idiot – to cause someone to feel foolish or humiliated

I felt like an idiot when – used to introduce a past embarrassing situation

🔄 Synonyms

feel foolish (phr.) – to feel embarrassed or stupid

feel stupid (phr.) – to experience a lack of intelligence

feel embarrassed (phr.) – to feel self-conscious or ashamed

🚫 Antonyms

feel smart (phr.) – to feel intelligent or clever

feel proud (phr.) – to feel satisfied with oneself

📖 Cultural Story

This phrase captures a universal feeling of embarrassment after a social mistake. It gained popularity in the 20th century with the rise of self-awareness in social interactions. Often used to describe post-faux pas regret.