Its pride and dignity forgotten vs Shame

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Its pride and dignity forgotten

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Shame

Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Shame
 Its pride and dignity forgottenShame
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪts praɪd ənd ˈdɪgnɪti fəˈgɒtən//🇺🇸 //ɪts praɪd ənd ˈdɪɡnɪti fəˈɡɑːtən//🇬🇧 /["/ʃeɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃeɪm/"]/
MeaningFeeling of self-respect and worth lost or not recognized.A feeling of being embarrassed or guilty about something.
ExampleIn the harsh reality of defeat, its pride and dignity forgotten, the hero walked away in silence.He felt a deep sense of shame after realizing his mistake.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechnoun
Collocationslost dignity, forgotten pride, sense of dignity, sense of pride, life without dignityawful, great, real, shame about, a bit of a shame, rather a shame, such a shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame
Antonyms-pride, honor, confidence
Common mistakes'Its' should not be confused with 'it's' (it is)., Using in informal contexts where more straightforward language is preferred., Misinterpreting the phrase as only referring to loss, instead of both pride and dignity.'Shame' confused with 'guilt' - they're related but not the same., Using 'shame' inappropriately as an action verb, e.g., 'to shame someone' can be too strong in casual conversation., Mixing up 'shame' with 'shaming' – the former is a noun while the latter is a verb.
Usage notesThis phrase is often used in literature or speeches to convey loss of self-respect or honor. It may not be suitable for casual conversation.Use 'shame' when talking about feelings of guilt or embarrassment. It's appropriate in most contexts but can feel heavy or serious. Avoid in light-hearted conversations.

See it in real clips

Its pride and dignity forgotten
Shame

Frequently asked questions: Its pride and dignity forgotten vs Shame

What's the difference between Its pride and dignity forgotten and Shame?

Its pride and dignity forgotten: Feeling of self-respect and worth lost or not recognized. Shame: A feeling of being embarrassed or guilty about something.

Which is more common: Its pride and dignity forgotten and Shame?

Shame is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Its pride and dignity forgotten: In the harsh reality of defeat, its pride and dignity forgotten, the hero walked away in silence. Shame: He felt a deep sense of shame after realizing his mistake.

Can I use Its pride and dignity forgotten and Shame interchangeably?

Not always. Its pride and dignity forgotten and Shame are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.