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Glite Dictionary
to turn a number of shades of red

to turn a number of shades of red

5.7
To become red in the face when you feel embarrassed
  • idiom
translation icon : ponerse rojo
  • She turned a number of shades of red when he complimented her.

Examples

  • He turned a number of shades of red when everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to him at the restaurant.

  • Whenever she speaks in public, she tends to turn a number of shades of red.

  • During the awkward interview question, she couldn't help but turn a number of shades of red.

  • Why did he turn a number of shades of red during the presentation?

  • He turned a number of shades of red when she gently teased him about his crush.

  • She couldn't help but turn a number of shades of red when the teacher called on her unexpectedly.

  • During the heartfelt speech, he turned a number of shades of red from the overwhelming compliments.

Synonyms

to blush
vsto turn a number of shades of red
99 1.3

To become red in the face from embarrassment or cold

varies in intensity showing mild to strong facial reddening
to turn red
vsto turn a number of shades of red
18 1.2

Become red in the face because you feel embarrassed, shy, or angry

is narrower focusing on emotional reddening often in varying degrees
to redden
vsto turn a number of shades of red
11 3.7

To change to red, for example from heat or embarrassment

applies specifically to emotional facial color changes varying by degree
to crimson
vsto turn a number of shades of red
  • Literature
9.0

To become red in the face from embarrassment or shame

refers more often to milder or variable embarrassment tones

Antonyms

emotionless
11 5.5

Not showing feelings on the face or in the voice

How Embarrassed

to crimson
  • Literature
9.0
to turn a number of shades of red
5.7
to blush
99 1.3
embarrassed
145 1.1

Surface Forms

turn a number of shades of red infinitive
turned a number of shades of red past
turned a number of shades of red past participle
turning a number of shades of red present participle
turns a number of shades of red third person singular

Morphology

turn + a + number + of + shade + of + red

The meaning 'to blush or show embarrassment' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'turn' (change color) with 'red' (the color associated with blushing), while 'a number of shades' simply indicates varying degrees of intensity. This compositional pattern (turn red = blush, with gradation) is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would very likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Turn a number of shades of red gives a simple picture: your face seems to turn through different shades of red as you feel more and more embarrassed. So, it means 'to blush' or to show different levels of embarrassment.