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
They say both countries - for once - communicated their intentions accurately; they realised they could de-escalate without losing face; and they both had a scare that will re-establish mutual deterrence.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2024
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
