In sore distress, looking embarrassed (3)
I believe the answer is:
red
'looking embarrassed' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in sore distress' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'RED' is hidden within 'sore distress'.
(Other definitions for red that I've seen before include "Carmine" , "- Cross; - admiral" , "The colour of the former Russian army" , "Bordeaux claret, for instance" , "14 -- breed of 4" .)