blush
verb (used without object)
to redden, as from self-consciousness, embarrassment, or shame.
had been blushing
-
past perfect progressiveof blush.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There had been blushing and anger among the teachers when cheerful Mr. McAndrew invited the public to "sample" the teachers' work, by quizzing and examining a group of representative pupils on a public platform.
From Time Magazine Archive
If he had been blushing before, it was nothing to what he was doing now.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
"Please don't talk about me any more, papa," said Pet, who had been blushing deeply, and looking very beautiful in the visitor's eyes.
From Round the Block by John Bell Bouton
All this the Innocent delivered rapidly, while Piney, a stout, comely damsel of fifteen, emerged from behind the pine-tree where she had been blushing unseen, and rode to the side of her lover.
From The Great English Short-Story Writers, Volume 1 by Daniel Defoe
The Princess Hedwig had been blushing uncomfortably, but now she paled.
From Long Live the King! by Mary Roberts Rinehart
