want to curl up and die

want to curl up and die

To wish one could have an escape or some instant relief from being mortified or extremely embarrassed. Hershel just asked me out in the middle of class in front of everyone. I want to curl up and die. After my presentation, I realized my fly had been down the whole time, and I wanted to curl up and die.
See also: and, curl, die, up, want
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • wish the ground would swallow (one) up
  • wish the ground would open up and swallow (one)
  • I don't fancy yours (much)
  • choke the chicken
  • children and fools tell the truth
  • pearl-clutch
  • pearl-clutching
  • clutch (one's)/the pearls
  • run out
  • run out on
References in periodicals archive
In other news, Jack holds a flat warming party for Ronnie - one of those fun-free Albert Square parties that are so dismal it's not just the sandwiches that want to curl up and die.
'One of the main reasons I've got the MBE is that I didn't want to curl up and die after losing my legs,' he said.