Proverb / Kotowaza
穴があったら入りたい
To be so deeply embarrassed that one wants to hide or disappear.
If there were a hole, I would want to enter it.
Quick Answer
To be so deeply embarrassed that one wants to hide or disappear.
- Literal Image
- If there were a hole, I would want to enter it.
- How to Use It
- It is used when someone makes a public mistake, has a silly misunderstanding pointed out by others, or encounters a cringeworthy memory from their past.
Meaning
This expression is used to describe a feeling of intense shame or embarrassment. It conveys the desire to hide away from the sight of others, even if it means crawling into a tiny hole in the ground to escape the situation.
Literal Image
If there were a hole, I would want to enter it.
How to Use It
It is used when someone makes a public mistake, has a silly misunderstanding pointed out by others, or encounters a cringeworthy memory from their past.
Tone
Can be used in a self-deprecating or humorous way when describing one's own embarrassment.
Examples
大勢の前で名前を間違えてしまい、穴があったら入りたい気分だ。
I called someone by the wrong name in front of a large group; I feel like I want to crawl into a hole.
自分の勘違いだと指摘され、穴があったら入りたいほど恥ずかしかった。
I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl into a hole after someone pointed out my misunderstanding.
昔の恋文を読み返すと、恥ずかしさで穴があったら入りたい。
When I read back my old love letters, I'm so embarrassed I want to crawl into a hole.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses basic conditional grammar (-tara) and the desire form (-tai) with vocabulary, though the expression is idiomatic.
穴
あな / ana
hole
あったら
attara
if there is / if there were
入りたい
はいりたい / hairitai
want to enter
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is primarily used to describe one's own feelings of shame; using it to describe others might sound overly critical or mocking depending on the context.
Misread Risk
Do not take it as a literal request to find a hole or cave; it is a figurative expression for social embarrassment.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression comes from the psychological state of being so ashamed that there is nowhere to hide, leading one to wish that even a small hole in the ground existed so they could crawl inside and disappear.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.