to make a fool of oneself

Examples

• All

• Mrs. Studevant: I just don't want her to make a fool of herself, that's all.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Don't make a fool of yourself.

  Spartacus (1960)

• You let me make a fool of myself.

  The Wedding Date (2005)

• What if I make a fool of myself?

  Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

• I made a fool of myself.

  In Other Words (2020)

• So Mom did double duty, standing in front of their team and making a fool of herself.

  Fiction book (2001)

• "Actually, she saved me from making a fool of myself.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Stop right there, Grandma, before you make a fool of yourself.

  Fiction book (1997)

• I'm not gonna make a fool of myself in front of all these folks.

  Fiction book (1990)

• You're making a fool of yourself.

  Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)

Synonyms

M

to make an ass of oneself

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

7 8.5

To act in a way that makes you look foolish in front of others

focuses on causing personal ridicule through one own actions rather than external tricks

P

to play the fool

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Informal

7 4.6

Act in a silly way to make others laugh or avoid being serious

is unintentional or embarrassing behaviour rather than deliberate comic performance

A

to act a fool

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Informal

3 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

is more about causing personal embarrassment rather than seeking attention to entertain

M

to make a monkey out of

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

3 8.4

Make someone look silly in front of other people by tricking or embarrassing them

is about self behaviour that creates embarrassment rather than being caused by others

B

to be a buffoon

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

2 8.1

To act in a silly, embarrassing way to make people laugh

describes self actions that embarrass rather than a general silly style

B

to beclown

vsto make a fool of oneself

1 9.9

To make yourself look foolish by doing or saying silly things

is about behaving in a way that causes personal embarrassment rather than amusing others

A

to act like a putz

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

1 9.9

To behave in a silly or clumsy way

emphasizes appearing ridiculous through actions rather than merely showing incompetence

M

to make a show of oneself

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Informal

1 7.5

To behave so others notice you in an embarrassing way

is about acting foolish specifically rather than merely seeking attention

B

to be a tosser

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

1 9.9

To behave in a rude, stupid way

is about creating personal embarrassment rather than simply being insulted by others

A

to act like a buffoon

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

6.8

Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you

is broader, covering any self behaviour that makes one seem ridiculous

A

to act like a doylem

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

Behave in a silly, clumsy way

focuses on behaving so others see you as ridiculous rather than just clumsy

A

to act like a dipstick

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

To behave foolishly or clumsily

centres on causing embarrassment rather than only poor choices

B

to be a wally

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

Act in a silly, embarrassing way

is the general idea of self behaviour that makes one seem ridiculous

B

to be a booby

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

Act in a silly or stupid way

is about any action that makes the person seem ridiculous or embarrassed

A

to act like a dumbo

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.6

Behave in a silly or foolish way

is similar but covers a wider range of embarrassing self actions

A

to act like a dorkus

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish

is stronger, covering more shameful or obvious embarrassing behaviour

A

to act like a horse's ass

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

To behave rudely and foolishly in a way that annoys or embarrasses people

focuses specifically on self actions that make one look ridiculous, not only annoying

A

to act like a ditz

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

is broader and includes any action that makes the person appear ridiculous

B

to be a chutiya

vsto make a fool of oneself

• Offensive

9.9

To behave in a stupid and rude way

is the general idea of self embarrassment without focusing on crude insult

Antonyms

B

to behave

747 1.0

To act in a proper or polite way

S

sensibly

15 3.7

In a way that shows good judgment and practical choices

How Embarrassing

to humiliate

• Offensive

414 6.1

to make a fool of oneself

42 4.1

to embarrass

642 2.1

to be silly

88 2.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology