keep up appearances; maintain a facade
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to keep up appearances; to maintain a facade of prosperity or propriety
informalUsed to describe the act of outwardly displaying wealth, status, or capability, often to hide one's actual difficulties or shortcomings. Commonly used in informal contexts.
Gōng公
sī司
kuài快
bù不
xíng行
le了
，
lǎo老
bǎn板
hái还
zài在
jiè借
qián钱
chēng称
chǎng场
miàn面
。
The company is almost failing, but the boss is still borrowing money to keep up appearances.
Hūn婚
lǐ礼
bàn办
de得
nà那
me么
háo豪
huá华
，
jiù就
shì是
wèi为
le了
gěi给
qīn亲
qī戚
péng朋
you友
chēng称
chǎng场
miàn面
。
The wedding was held so extravagantly just to maintain a facade in front of relatives and friends.
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Tā他
suī虽
rán然
shī失
yè业
le了
，
dàn但
chū出
mén门
hái还
shì是
chuān穿
xī西
zhuāng装
dǎ打
lǐng领
dài带
，
yìng硬
chēng撑
zhe着
chēng称
chǎng场
miàn面
。
Although he lost his job, he still wears a suit and tie when going out, stubbornly keeping up appearances.