losing face
Suffering social disgrace
Losing face is suffering damage to one's reputation, dignity, or standing in the eyes of others.
The phrase derives from Chinese concepts of social honor, where public perception matters deeply.
Someone loses face through embarrassment, failure, or being shown to be wrong: He couldn't admit his mistake without losing face.
The opposite is saving face—preserving dignity despite setbacks.
Self-conscious unease
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- disgraceLoss of honor
dishonor · indignity · self-consciousness · abashment · discomfiture · awkwardness · blush · stigma
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
taunting · belittlement · disrespect · insult · put-down · scoffing · sneering · laughingstock
Compromised public standing
- tarnished imageDamaged public perception
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- discreditHarm another's reputation
Banishment from a group
- alienationState of being isolated
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- disfavorLack of approval
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
exclusion · shunning · social death · public failure · gossip · whispers · cold shoulder · silent treatment
embarrassment
Self-conscious unease
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
disgrace · dishonor · indignity · self-consciousness · abashment · discomfiture · awkwardness · blush · stigma · degradation
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
scorn · taunting · belittlement · disrespect · insult · put-down · scoffing · sneering · laughingstock · public humiliation
damaged reputation
Compromised public standing
- tarnished imageDamaged public perception
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- discreditHarm another's reputation
ostracism
Banishment from a group
- alienationState of being isolated
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- disfavorLack of approval
rejection · exclusion · shunning · social death · public failure · gossip · whispers · cold shoulder · silent treatment · social isolation
- figurative actionsburning bridges, biting tongue, burying hatchet, cutting ties, jumping ship
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- social conformityconformist, peer pressure, herd mentality, groupthink, follow the crowd