lose face

Definitions

To lose the respect of others; to be humiliated or experience public disgrace.

idiomatic, intransitive

Equivalents

Examples

“"The Chengtu revolutionaries were fantastically colourful in the Szechwanese manner—they costumed themselves as heroes of the stage⟳ and their energies were chiefly occupied in tying ropes across the main streets so that when Imperial officials rode by in their litters they would have⟳ to get⟳ down and crawl under, losing face⟳.”

“Ahithophel, Absalom's chief counsel, hanged himself when he lost face⟳ after his advice was rejected.”

“The intelligence sources said the Chinese would not want⟳ to lose⟳ face⟳. One source said, however: "The show⟳ of military muscle has provoked an international reaction and that may be enough face⟳ saved."”

“When you start⟳ to feel⟳ unmotivated, you will look⟳ for ways to weasel out of your commitments. We all do it. If there's a stealth way to back out, without ever losing face⟳, you will do it without hesitation.”

“He had arranged for one of his managers to be present⟳ in the office with us, so I should have⟳ realised immediately that there was little chance of him backing down since that would have⟳ meant losing face⟳ in front of a subordinate.”

CEFR level