show one's face
Make an appearance
To show one's face is to appear somewhere, especially when there's reason you might stay away—embarrassment, guilt, or unwelcome status: After that scandal, I'm surprised he'd show his face here.
The phrase emphasizes the boldness or inappropriateness of appearing: How can she show her face after what she did?
Often used with negatives: He was too ashamed to show his face.
Painful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- disgraceLoss of honor
- blushFacial reddening from emotion
sheepish · abashment · chagrin · discomfiture · awkwardness · self-consciousness · flustered · cringe
Boldness before danger
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- gutsEntrails or boldness
- daringAdventurous courage
audacity · defiance · assertiveness · confrontation · standing tall · backbone · mettle · fortitude
Range of clear sight
- emergenceComing into existence
- arrivalAct of reaching destination
- presenceState of being somewhere
- attendanceRecord of who's present
turning up · coming forward · debut · materialization · sighting · detection · recognition · surfacing
State of being answerable
- answerabilityObligation to explain oneself
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
- coming cleanAdmitting wrongdoing honestly
- transparencyState of being see-through
owning up · integrity · honor · duty · obligation · taking responsibility
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- disgraceLoss of honor
blush · sheepish · abashment · chagrin · discomfiture · awkwardness · self-consciousness · flustered · cringe
bravery
Boldness before danger
daring · audacity · defiance · assertiveness · confrontation · standing tall · backbone · mettle · fortitude · gall
visibility
Range of clear sight
attendance · turning up · coming forward · debut · materialization · sighting · detection · recognition · surfacing · reappearance
responsibility
State of being answerable
- answerabilityObligation to explain oneself
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
- coming cleanAdmitting wrongdoing honestly
owning up · transparency · integrity · honor · duty · obligation · taking responsibility
credibility
Quality inspiring trust
- standingPosition, physical or social
- dignityInnate personal worth
- respectabilityMoral and social worthiness
honor · esteem · image · prestige · status · character · repute · good name · public image · social standing
show one's facehide away
Conceal in seclusion
make oneself scarce · lay low · disappear · go into hiding · keep a low profile
show one's facecower
Shrink back in dread
shrink away · hang one's head · go underground · bury one's head in the sand · keep away
show, face, shows, showed, shown, showing, shower, ones, faces