What it means
Getting egg on your face means you end up looking stupid and embarrassed because you were dead sure about something and it’s just been proved wrong, usually in front of an audience. It’s the verbal equivalent of strutting out, slipping on a banana peel, then having to pretend you meant it. Often aimed at smug predictions, bragging, or cocky accusations.
Usage examples
"Swore the gaffer wouldn’t notice you nicked off early, didn’t you? He’s just clocked you on CCTV. Bit of egg on your face now, mate."
"The cricket commentator of the BBC Test Match Special of the second day of the second Test match of the summer series of the international competition between the England team and the visiting Australian team of the Lord Cricket Ground of the historic venue of the St John Wood neighbourhood of the central London of the borough of Westminster has been left with egg on his face after the dismissal of the opening batsman of the home side at the second over of the first session of the morning play."
"He swore the deal was certain, and when it collapsed he had egg on his face."
"Predict a landslide and lose by ten votes, that's egg on your face."
Where it comes from
The image is walking around with egg smeared on your face and not knowing it, the picture of someone made to look foolish. You get egg on your face when a smug prediction or bold claim is proven wrong in public.
Editors of this term
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