lost face
Suffered public disgrace
Lost face means suffered a loss of reputation or dignity, especially in front of others.
The phrase comes from Chinese cultural concepts about public honor and shame.
To lose face is to be humiliated or shown to be wrong in a way that damages your standing: He lost face when his lies were exposed.
The opposite is to save face—preserving dignity despite setbacks.
Loss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- discreditHarm another's reputation
stigma · degradation · scandal · infamy · disrepute · ignominy · opprobrium · wounded pride
Intense shame or embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- abashmentDiscomfiture from exposure
- discomfitureUneasy self-conscious distress
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
wounded pride · crushed spirit · dejection · demoralization · regret · remorse · self-reproach · guilt
Banishment from a group
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- alienationState of being isolated
- shunningDeliberately avoiding someone
boycott · blacklisting · outcast · disapproval · censure · derision · mockery · ridicule
System valuing defended reputation
- public imagePerceived external persona
- social harmonyPeaceful coexistence among people
- respectRegard with honor
- dignityInnate personal worth
family honor · filial piety · social standing · propriety · decorum · reputation management · atonement · redemption
disgrace
Loss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
discredit · stigma · degradation · scandal · infamy · disrepute · ignominy · opprobrium · wounded pride · bruised ego
mortification
Intense shame or embarrassment
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- abashmentDiscomfiture from exposure
- discomfitureUneasy self-conscious distress
self-consciousness · wounded pride · crushed spirit · dejection · demoralization · regret · remorse · self-reproach · guilt · contrition
ostracism
Banishment from a group
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- alienationState of being isolated
shunning · boycott · blacklisting · outcast · disapproval · censure · derision · mockery · ridicule · social death
honor culture
System valuing defended reputation
- public imagePerceived external persona
- social harmonyPeaceful coexistence among people
- respectRegard with honor
dignity · family honor · filial piety · social standing · propriety · decorum · reputation management · atonement · redemption
lost facesaved face
Protected one's reputation
redeemed oneself · vindicated · won · found · recovered
lost facerose to the occasion
lost, lose, loses, losing, loser, losers, loss, losses, face