cherish one's reputation
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb phrase
to cherish and protect one's reputation like precious feathers; to be cautious about one's public image
literaryThis idiom uses a metaphor (feathers = reputation) and implies acting cautiously to avoid damaging one's good name. It can carry a slightly literary or formal tone.
Tā他
wéi为
rén人
zhèng正
zhí直
，
fēi非
cháng常
ài爱
xī惜
yǔ羽
máo毛
，
cóng从
bù不
cān参
yù与
rèn任
hé何
yǒu有
sǔn损
míng名
yù誉
de的
huó活
dòng动
。
He is an upright person who cherishes his reputation greatly and never participates in any activity that might damage it.
Zuò作
wéi为
yī一
míng名
gōng公
zhòng众
rén人
wù物
，
nǐ你
bì必
xū须
ài爱
xī惜
yǔ羽
máo毛
，
zhù注
yì意
zì自
jǐ己
de的
yán言
xíng行
。
As a public figure, you must be careful to protect your reputation and watch your words and actions.
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Tā他
zhè这
cì次
jù拒
jué绝
hé合
zuò作
，
kǒng恐
pà怕
yě也
shì是
ài爱
xī惜
yǔ羽
máo毛
，
bù不
xiǎng想
gēn跟
nà那
ge个
yǒu有
zhēng争
yì议
de的
xiàng项
mù目
chě扯
shàng上
guān关
xi系
。
He refused to cooperate this time, probably also out of concern for his reputation, not wanting to be associated with that controversial project.