toe-curling

toe-curling (comparative more toe-curling, superlative most toe-curling)

1. Causing feelings of acute embarrassment.

   toe-curling embarrassment

   • 2020 October 30, Lauren Cochrane, “The return of split-toe footwear leaves fashion world cloven”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     Toe-curling for some, split-toe shoes have recently been seen in the most high fashion places.

   • 2023 May 11, David Smith, “Toe-curlingly bad television: Trump’s torturous town hall backfires on CNN”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:

     It was toe-curling, not-knowing-where-to-look bad television reminiscent of Trump appearing with women who accused Bill Clinton of rape and unwanted sexual advances before he debated Hillary.

2. Causing feelings of arousal or excitement (especially sexual).
   • 2007, Keri Arthur, Kissing Sin‎, →ISBN:

     He sipped his wine, flashed a toe-curling smile at the waitress as she picked up his uneaten plate, then gave me a somewhat darker look.

• toe-curlingly