keep up appearances; keep up a front
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to keep up appearances; to maintain a facade
informalOften used when someone goes to great lengths (e.g., spending money, inviting people) to make an event or situation look prosperous or successful, especially when the reality is not as good.
Gōng公
sī司
suī虽
rán然
kùn困
nan难
，
dàn但
kāi开
yè业
diǎn典
lǐ礼
hái还
shì是
qǐng请
le了
bù不
shǎo少
rén人
lái来
chēng撑
mén场
miàn面
。
Although the company is struggling, they still invited many people to keep up appearances at the opening ceremony.
Tā他
jiè借
le了
yī一
liàng辆
háo豪
chē车
lái来
tóng同
xué学
huì会
chēng撑
mén场
miàn面
。
He borrowed a luxury car to keep up a front at the class reunion.
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Zhè这
jiā家
diàn店
shēng生
yì意
bù不
hǎo好
，
quán全
kào靠
lǎo老
gù顾
kè客
ǒu偶
ěr尔
lái来
chēng撑
cheng撑
mén场
miàn面
。
This store's business is poor; it relies entirely on regular customers coming occasionally to keep up appearances.