lose 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.

Retired Det Sgt Willie Mason claims senior officers did not want to lose face.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

"What advantage is there to making someone lose face, unless that is your objective."

From Reuters • Jul. 24, 2023

“Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself where he does not only lose face but significant power?”

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2022

“I think North Korea will declare a victory over the pandemic a bit later. It would lose face if it proclaimed victory too soon and new patients cropped up afterwards,” Nam said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2022

Still, we always used the butter, for if my mother sent it back to the kitchen, Yang Sze-Fu would lose face and quit.

From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz