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blush

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blush is off the rose

Something, someone, or some situation is no longer as exciting, novel, or interesting as it first was, likened to a rose whose color is no longer vibrant or in the most appealing condition. Everyone had very high hopes for the newly elected senator, but she accomplished little in her first term, and I'm afraid the blush is off the rose at this point. After four years, it just feels like the blush is off the rose in this relationship.

See also: blush, off, rose

spare (someone's) blushes

To keep from making someone feel embarrassed or awkward. However, due to your family's great service to the crown, we will spare your blushes and not create a public scandal around this debacle. I tried sparing her blushes when she asked me to prom by saying I had no intention of going with anyone.

See also: blush, spare

put to the blush

To be made to blush, usually from shame or embarrassment. I had to leave the dinner party after being put to the blush by my own mother, who decided that my shortcomings were an appropriate topic of conversation.

See also: blush, put

at first blush

Upon first seeing or considering something. At first blush, I thought the house was great, but the inspector's list of problems changed my opinion. The contract did seem favorable at first blush, but it eventually cost me a lot of money.

See also: blush, first

at first glance

Upon first seeing or considering something. At first glance, I thought the house was great, but the inspector's list of problems changed my opinion. The contract did seem favorable at first glance, but I can see now that it would not have been beneficial.

See also: first, glance

at first glance

 and at first blush

when first examined; at an early stage. At first glance, the problem appeared quite simple. Later we learned just how complex it really was. He appeared quite healthy at first glance. At first blush, she appeared to be quite old.

See also: first, glance

blush with something

[for someone's cheeks] to redden from a particular emotion or reaction. She blushed with shame. You could see that Lily was blushing with anger, even though she tried to conceal it.

See also: blush

at first blush

when first learning or thinking about something At first blush, the house seemed perfect until we discovered we had no heat or hot water.

Related vocabulary: at first glance

See also: blush, first

at first glance

when first looked at At first glance the deal looked great, but after reading the contract I wasn't so sure. The twins seem, at first glance, very similar, but they're actually very different.

Related vocabulary: at first sight

See also: first, glance

save/spare somebody's blushes

  (British & Australian)

to do something to prevent someone feeling embarrassed Granger saved the team's blushes by scoring the only goal in the last five minutes of the game. The audience's blushes were spared because the censors had removed all the explicit sex scenes from the film.

See also: blush, save

at first blush

  (mainly American)

when you first start to think about something His decision isn't as odd as it may seem at first blush.

See also: blush, first

at first glance/sight

if something or someone seems a particular way at first glance, they seem that way when you first look at them The system is more complicated than it appears at first glance.

See also: first, glance

at first blush

Also, at first glance or sight . When first seen. For example, At first blush we thought it was an elegant restaurant, but it soon became obvious that it was hardly the place for a special dinner , or At first glance the contract looked just fine. All three phrases date from the 1300s. The noun blush is used with the obsolete meaning "glimpse" or "momentary view" and in this idiom has nothing to do with showing embarrassment. Also see love at first sight.

See also: blush, first

at first glance

On initial consideration: At first glance the plan seemed unworkable.

See also: first, glance