The phrase "had egg on face" refers to feeling embarrassed or ashamed because of a mistake or failure. The spelling of this phrase is straightforward and follows regular English orthography. The phonetic transcription of the phrase is /hæd ɛɡ ɒn feɪs/. The sound "h" represents the initial consonant sound, followed by the short "æ" vowel sound, "d" consonant sound, and "ɛɡ" diphthong representing the "e" sound followed by the "ɡ" consonant sound. The last two words "on face" are spelled as they are pronounced.
The expression "had egg on face" is an idiomatic phrase that conveys the state of embarrassment or humiliation experienced by an individual due to a mistake, blunder, or failure. The metaphorical image portrays someone with literal egg on their face, symbolizing the visible and embarrassing evidence of their error or misjudgment.
When someone says they "had egg on face," it signifies that they have made a noticeable error or were proven wrong in a situation where they were confident or assertive. This mistake might have been made publicly or in front of others, causing the person to feel embarrassed, foolish, or exposed. The phrase can also carry a sense of humiliation as it implies being the subject of laughter, ridicule, or criticism from others who witnessed the mishap.
The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it likely alludes to the mess and humiliation associated with having actual egg on one's face. Eggs are known for their tendency to create a messy, sticky, and viscerally unpleasant situation when their fragile shells are cracked open or broken.
In summary, "had egg on face" refers to the state of embarrassment resulting from a public or significant mistake or failure. The expression implies that the person experiencing the humiliation is visibly marked with the metaphorical equivalent of egg yolk on their face, symbolizing their error or misjudgment.