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Glite Dictionary
to feel like a total boob

to feel like a total boob

9.9
To feel foolish or embarrassed because of a mistake
  • idiom
  • Offensive
translation icon : sentirse un completo idiota
  • Sending that email to the wrong person made me feel like a total boob at work.

Examples

  • He always feels like a total boob when he forgets his lines on stage.

  • After tripping in front of everyone, she felt like a total boob.

  • After tripping over the microphone cord, she couldn't help but feel like a total boob during her speech.

  • I feel like a total boob for forgetting her birthday!

  • After tripping over the microphone cord, she couldn't help but feel like a total boob during her speech.

  • Sending that email to the wrong person made me feel like a total boob at work.

  • I feel like a total boob for forgetting her birthday!

Synonyms

to feel awkward
vsto feel like a total boob
21 2.8

Be uncomfortable or embarrassed when you are with other people

is more about clumsy mistakes than general social discomfort
to feel like a fool
vsto feel like a total boob
9 6.0

To be embarrassed and silly because of something you did

is more about clumsy mishaps that cause that embarrassment
to feel dumb
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Informal
3 6.0

Be embarrassed and think you are foolish after making a mistake

is more about clumsy embarrassment than a simple lack of intelligence
to make a boo-boo
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Baby Talk
1 8.4

To do something wrong by accident in a small, silly way

is about feeling clumsy or embarrassed rather than the small error
to feel like a schmuck
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To feel foolish and embarrassed about something you did

is focused on personal clumsiness rather than social awkwardness
to make a boob
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Archaic
1 8.2

To do something foolish or embarrassing by mistake

is about feeling embarrassed after such mistakes rather than the mistake itself
to feel like a pillock
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish because of something you did

is more about feeling clumsy and embarrassed from mistakes
to feel like a boofhead
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish after making a mistake

is the general nonregional way to express the same feeling
to feel like a pinhead
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.1

To be foolish or embarrassed after making a mistake

is more about clumsy or awkward actions causing those feelings
to feel like a plonker
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

Being foolish and embarrassed after making an obvious mistake

is more about clumsy or embarrassing behavior rather than mere silliness
to feel like a wally
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish and embarrassed because of something you did

is stronger and highlights clumsy mistakes and self blame
to feel like a dodo
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Informal
9.6

To think you are silly after making a mistake

is more about clumsy or awkward physical mistakes causing shame
to feel like a gomer
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Archaic
9.9

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

is more about simple clumsiness and embarrassment after personal errors
to feel like a jackoff
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel foolish and embarrassed after a careless mistake

is more neutral in tone focusing on clumsy rather than moral failure
to feel like a total bumhole
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

To feel very ashamed and worthless after doing something embarrassing

is less extreme focusing on ordinary clumsiness and embarrassment
to feel like a worm
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.1

To be very ashamed and think you are worthless

is milder referring to clumsy or embarrassed feelings rather than shame
to act like a dingus
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh

is about the internal feeling after such behaviour rather than the action
to be a booby
vsto feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a silly or stupid way

is about the feeling of embarrassment after that behaviour rather than the act

Antonyms

competent
114 3.6

Able to do a job well because of skill and knowledge

to take pride
45 3.4

To feel pleased about something you or others do

How Foolish

to feel like a total boob
  • Offensive
9.9

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

feel + like + a + total + boob

The meaning is compositionally derivable: 'feel like' = experience as, 'a total' = completely, and 'boob' = a foolish person, so the overall sense 'to feel foolish/embarrassed' follows directly from the parts. Although 'boob' is informal/slang, the semantic combination is regular and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would understand it.

Etymology

The phrase feel like a total boob may come from the old word boob, which meant a silly or foolish person. The idea is of someone acting awkward or ridiculous, so to feel like a total boob means to 'feel foolish or embarrassed'.