What does 'ground to open up and swallow me' mean?

[Luby]

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #127 "Ways of commenting", question 7

It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life and I just wanted the ground to ......... up and swallow me.

(a) ease
(b) throe
(c) open
(d) crack

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #127 "Ways of commenting", answer 7

It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life and I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

Correct answer: (c) open

Your answer was: incorrect
It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life and I just wanted the ground to crack up and swallow me.
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What does 'ground to open up and swallow me' mean?

[Vietanhpham_Winter]

Just like in an earthquake, the ground opens up and swallow you. In this sentence, it implies you're so embarrassed that you want somewhere to hide.
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