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.

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

From Reuters • Jul. 24, 2023

Oxfordians propose that an aristocrat would lose face by publicly writing for a theater company — tradesmen, after all.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 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

In order for us to begin talks, they said, the ANC must make some compromise so that the government would not lose face with its own people.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela