great public shame; deep embarrassment; utter disgrace
Refers to a profound sense of shame or humiliation, especially when exposed to others. Often used in phrases like 赤恥をかく (to be deeply embarrassed). The cross-reference 赤っ恥 is a more emphatic colloquial variant.
See also: 赤っ恥
I tripped in front of everyone and was deeply embarrassed.
Remembering his mistake, he couldn't bear the profound humiliation.
Compound of 赤 (あか, 'red', here used metaphorically for 'utter' or 'complete') and 恥 (はじ, 'shame'). The prefix 赤- intensifies the following noun, similar to 赤裸々 (あかはだか, 'stark naked').