lose face

Idioms and Phrases

Be embarrassed or humiliated, especially publicly. For example, Terry lost face when his assistant was promoted and became his boss . Both this expression and the underlying concept come from Asia; the term itself is a translation of the Chinese tiu lien and has been used in English since the late 1800s. Also see save face .

Example Sentences

Unwilling to lose face, he embarked on an escalating Ponzi scheme.

From The Daily Beast

Which meant that Broderick must sustain the Lecompton Resolution or lose face and favor in the nation's forum.

From Project Gutenberg

But having threatened her he must carry out his threat or forever lose face.

From Project Gutenberg

Just as the Chinese will do anything to "save face" so the Briton will do anything not to "lose face."

From Project Gutenberg