lose face
become publicly shamed
Lose face means to suffer a loss of reputation, dignity, or respect in the eyes of others.
The phrase emphasizes public perception—what matters is how one appears, not private feelings of shame: He couldn't back down without losing face.
Common in discussions of diplomacy and honor cultures where maintaining status is paramount.
- fall from graceLoss of status or reputation
- public humiliationDeliberate degradation before witnesses
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- walk of shamePost-hookup morning departure
embarrassment · disgrace · reputation · damaged reputation · dishonor · mortification · social death · respect · credibility · misstep · faux pas · ignominy · stigma · infamy · discredit · eat humble pie · apologize · hierarchy
- humiliationashamed, abasement, embarrassed, chagrin, mortified
- Chinglishlong time no see, no can do
- East Asian Culturechopsticks, yin and yang, tea ceremony, origami, qi
- embarrassmentembarrassed, blush, humiliated, mortify, mortified
lose facesave face
Protect one's reputation
redeem oneself · make a name for oneself · come out on top · triumph · prove oneself
face, lose, lost, loser, facing, faced, losing, facet, faces