我們有必要先了解一下作動詞短語的egg on, 然後進一步掌握名詞短語的egg on one’s face。
egg on：催促，驅趕…向前，可用urge on，cause to act替換。
The other children egged the boy on, but he did not want to throw the stone through the window.其他小孩子慫恿他去幹，可他並不想把石頭扔進窗子裡去。
egg on (one's) face 則屬於名詞性習語， 意指是由於失敗、失誤或失言造成的尷尬狀態。The embarrassment that results from a failure or faux pas. 基本使用搭配是have egg on (one's) face， 或是egg all over your face。
Oh man, the boss found out that messed up the budget report, and now I have egg on my face. 哎，哥們兒，老闆發現財報弄得一團糟，而現在我也難堪死了。
Sally was left with egg on her face after forgetting the words to the song during her audition. 莎莉在試唱時忘了歌詞，弄得一臉的不自在。
常見於在西方文化裡的是，人群中有人向政客或演員扔臭雞蛋是想表達他們的憤怒和憎恨喲。