red face test

8.1

A way to see if someone looks embarrassed because they blush

noun

Informal

: prueba de cara roja

If your explanation doesn't pass the red face test, people might not believe you're telling the truth.

Examples

The policy failed the red face test when questioned by the press during the conference.
Her awkward silence during the interview was a classic red face test for discomfort.
He has a red face test.
She failed the red face test when she heard the embarrassing news.
When he told a lie, his cheeks turned red, easily passing the red face test of guilt.
Her sudden blush during the conversation was a clear red face test indicating her embarrassment.
If you want to gauge someone's sincerity, just look for the red face test after they confess.

Synonyms

blush

vsred face test

11 1.0

A pink or red color in the cheeks from strong feelings such as embarrassment

is used as an informal test of guilt or embarrassment when this color appears

blushing

vsred face test

1 1.4

A person with a red face because they feel embarrassed or shy

uses that red face as an informal test for guilt or embarrassment

Surface Forms

red face test singular

red face tests plural

Morphology

red + face + test

The phrase is directly compositional: 'red face' clearly denotes blushing/embarrassment and 'test' denotes a check, so the overall meaning — an informal check based on whether someone appears embarrassed — is derivable from the parts. This noun-noun compounding follows common English and cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand it.

Etymology

Red face test comes from the clear image of a person whose face turns red when they feel 'embarrassed' or 'guilty'. So, if an idea or story would make people blush, it 'fails the red face test', meaning it seems 'embarrassing' or 'not believable'.