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

In comments made by Manchin and Lieberman before and during Tuesday’s event, there were whispers of a means of resolving this problem without losing face.

From Slate • Jul. 18, 2023

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2022

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