loses face
Becomes publicly humiliated
Loses face means to suffer a loss of dignity, reputation, or respect in front of others.
The phrase comes from Chinese and emphasizes public perception—what matters is how others view you after a failure, embarrassment, or humiliation: He couldn't back down without losing face.
The opposite is to save face.
- disgraceLoss of honor
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- public shamingCommunal reputational punishment
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- damaged reputationCompromised public standing
ostracism · social death · honor · fall from grace · prestige · ridicule · shame · walk of shame · scorn · collectivism · regret · embarrassment · self-consciousness · mortification · wounded pride · eat humble pie · pride · rejection