Д-49

КРАСНАЯ ДЕВИЦА (ДЕВУШКА obsoles, coll, ДЁВКА substand ) NP fixed WO

a very shy and timid young man

shrinking violet

(be) like a shy girl (maiden) (be) like a blushing virgin.

"А тут, знаешь, народ какой? Робеют...» - «...„Робеют!" - злобно бледнея, прокричал Кудинов и ёрзнул в кресле, будто жару сыпанули ему на сиденье. - Все вы как красные девки!» (Шолохов 4). The folk up there, you know what they're like? They're scared..." "...'Scared!'" Kudinov shouted, turning pale with anger, and squirmed in his chair as if someone had thrown hot coals on the seat. "You're like a lot of blushing virgins" (4a).