not spare feelings; pull a long face
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb phrase
not spare someone's feelings; act without regard for personal relations
neutralUsed when someone acts strictly or fairly, even if it means upsetting friends, family, or acquaintances.
Zuò作
wéi为
jīng经
lǐ理
，
tā她
bì必
xū须
lā拉
xià下
liǎn脸
lái来
pī批
píng评
chí迟
dào到
yuán员
gōng工
。
As a manager, she had to put aside personal feelings to criticize the late employee.
Suī虽
rán然
wǒ我
men们
shì是
péng朋
you友
，
dàn但
zài在
yuán原
zé则
wèn问
tí题
shàng上
wǒ我
hái还
shì是
děi得
lā拉
xià下
liǎn脸
。
Even though we are friends, I still have to be strict when it comes to matters of principle.
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Wèi为
le了
gōng公
sī司
jì纪
lǜ律
，
lǎo老
bǎn板
lā拉
xià下
liǎn脸
kāi开
chú除
le了
tā他
de的
zhí侄
zi子
。
For the sake of company discipline, the boss hardened his heart and fired his nephew.
verb phrase
pull a long face; show displeasure or unhappiness
informalDescribes a sudden change in facial expression to show anger, disappointment, or annoyance.
Tīng听
dào到
zhè这
ge个
xiāo消
xi息
，
tā他
lì立
kè刻
lā拉
xià下
liǎn脸
lái来
。
Upon hearing this news, he immediately pulled a long face.
Mā妈
ma妈
kàn看
dào到
zá杂
luàn乱
fáng房
jiān间
，
mǎ马
shàng上
jiù就
lā拉
xià下
liǎn脸
le了
。
When Mom saw the messy room, her face fell immediately.
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Bié别
kāi开
zhè这
zhǒng种
wán玩
xiào笑
，
xiǎo小
xīn心
tā他
lā拉
xià下
liǎn脸
shēng生
qì气
。
Don't make jokes like that, or he might get upset and show it.