losing face

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By avoiding inflammatory rhetoric, China is building itself an off-ramp to move the policy away from a blanket ban without losing face.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

Mr Jack told MPs: "Ministers should always spend tax payers money efficiently, even if it means losing face."

From BBC • May 17, 2023

And there might be a risk of losing face or some shame.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2022

If you try to reform and fail, it is even more painful than covering it up, because you risk losing face in front of others or damaging your self-esteem even more.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2018

But I was also determined to honor my parents’ words, so Huang Taitai could never accuse my mother of losing face.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan