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the ground open up and swallow somebody
the (ground|floor|earth) (would open up and|) [swallow] {sb}the (ground|floor|earth) would (open up and|) [swallow] {sb}the ground open up and swallow somebody
01
used to wish that one could disappear or not have existed at all so as not to have to tolerate such embarrassment
![the (ground|floor|earth) [open] up and [swallow] {sb} definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/19596/original/embarrassed?type=jpeg "the (ground|floor|earth) [open] up and [swallow] {sb} definition and meaning")
IdiomWhat is the origin of the idiom "the ground open up and swallow someone" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "the ground open up and swallow someone" can be traced back to biblical references. The phrase draws inspiration from passages in the Bible where the ground opened up and swallowed rebellious individuals as a divine punishment. This phrase is commonly used when discussing situations where someone has made a significant mistake, committed a social faux pas, or experienced a public failure, resulting in a profound sense of shame or embarrassment.
Examples
After my presentation, he realized his fly had been down the whole time, and he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.
At that moment the boss walked in, and I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.
