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I found a phrase in one vocabulary book about the usage of 縮む.
I am not clear on the meaning of this phrase:

身の縮む思い

I think it can be the same meaning as 恥ずかしい. Is that right?

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1 Answer

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I think 身が縮む思いをする/身の縮む思いをする means you're so afraid, scared, or frightened. 広辞苑 says "ちぢむ[縮む]③恐れなどで体がすくんで小さくなる。身がすぼまる。「身が縮む思い」"

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So,is it not same with 恥ずかしい? – Nyein Nyein Chan Chan Jul 9 '12 at 5:00
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@NyeinNyeinChanChan-- I don't think we'd say 身が(orの)縮む思いをした to mean 恥ずかしい, we are ashamed or embarrassed... We'd rather say 顔から火が出る or 穴があったら入りたい. (Maybe you're confusing 身が縮む思い with 肩身が狭い?) – Chocolate Jul 9 '12 at 5:20
Ok,thanks.I made a sentence 彼はしかられて身の縮む思いをした。.Is it Correct? (Can you give me a example sentence,please?) – Nyein Nyein Chan Chan Jul 9 '12 at 5:21
Eww I didn't know the phrase can also be used to say you're embarrassed. (I just saw Goo辞書.) Then, 叱られて身の縮む思いをした might sound like you were embarrassed because someone scolded you... – Chocolate Jul 9 '12 at 15:27
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How about "I felt as if I was shrinking up with fear. あまりの恐ろしさに身の縮む思いがした. " (the 7th example sentence in this page. ejje.weblio.jp/sentence/content/%22with+fear%22/2) – Chocolate Jul 9 '12 at 15:44

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