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Glite Dictionary
to feel like a wally

to feel like a wally

9.9
To feel foolish and embarrassed because of something you did
  • idiom
  • /fiːl laɪk ə ˈwɒli/
  • Offensive
translation icon : sentirse tonto
  • I really felt like a wally when I realized I'd been talking to the wrong person.

Examples

  • I feel like a wally for forgetting her birthday!

  • You might feel like a wally if you forget your lines during the performance.

  • After tripping over the curb in front of everyone, she couldn't help but feel like a wally.

  • He feels like a wally after spilling coffee on his shirt.

  • When he accidentally called his teacher 'Mom', he really felt like a wally.

  • After making that silly mistake in front of the whole class, she couldn't help but feel like a wally.

  • He feels like a wally for not preparing adequately for the meeting.

Synonyms

to feel awkward
vsto feel like a wally
21 2.8

Be uncomfortable or embarrassed when you are with other people

focuses on feeling foolish because of one's own actions rather than general discomfort
to feel like a fool
vsto feel like a wally
9 6.0

To be embarrassed and silly because of something you did

is broader and covers general foolishness and embarrassment after mistakes
to feel like a schmuck
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To feel foolish and embarrassed about something you did

focuses on personal mistakes causing embarrassment rather than social situations
to feel like a pillock
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish because of something you did

is milder and describes feeling foolish or embarrassed after actions
to feel like a plonker
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Being foolish and embarrassed after making an obvious mistake

is more about feeling embarrassed or foolish rather than silly
to feel like a pinhead
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.1

To be foolish or embarrassed after making a mistake

is used for general embarrassment or foolishness not only oversights
to feel like a dodo
vsto feel like a wally
  • Informal
9.6

To think you are silly after making a mistake

is about feeling embarrassed or foolish rather than childish silliness
to feel like a boofhead
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish after making a mistake

is the general term for feeling foolish or embarrassed in any region
to feel like a total boob
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish or embarrassed because of a mistake

is about general foolishness or embarrassment not physical clumsiness
to feel like a gomer
vsto feel like a wally
  • Archaic
9.9

Act or seem foolish and unable to do something in a situation

is about feeling foolish or embarrassed without implying incompetence
to feel like a jackoff
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish and embarrassed after a careless mistake

focuses on embarrassment after a mistake rather than irresponsibility
to feel like a louse
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.1

To be guilty and ashamed after treating someone badly

expresses foolishness or embarrassment rather than moral guilt or shame
to feel like a worm
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.1

To be very ashamed and think you are worthless

means feeling foolish or embarrassed in a much milder way
to feel like a total bumhole
vsto feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel very ashamed and worthless after doing something embarrassing

is milder and refers to ordinary foolishness or embarrassment

Antonyms

smart
∞ 1.9

Shows quick thinking and good understanding

How Foolish

to feel like a dodo
  • Informal
9.6
to feel like a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Surface Forms

feel like a wally infinitive
felt like a wally past
felt like a wally past participle
feeling like a wally present participle
feels like a wally third person singular

Morphology

feel + like + a + wally

The meaning is directly built from 'feel' (to experience), 'like' (as if) and 'wally' (a silly/foolish person), so a learner who knows those words can infer 'feel foolish/embarrassed'. It is compositional and follows a common simile pattern, though note that 'wally' is informal British slang and may be regionally marked.

Etymology

Feel like a wally may come from using the name Wally for a silly, clumsy person. Imagine someone tripping or saying something awkward, so the picture helps you remember why the phrase means 'to feel foolish or embarrassed'.