be embarrassed; lose face
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to be embarrassed in front of others; to lose face; to be put in an awkward position
Commonly used in patterns like '脸上~' (to lose face) or '下不来台' (unable to step down from a stage, i.e., unable to back down gracefully). Often implies a social situation where one cannot retreat without losing dignity.
Jǐ几
jù句
zhòng重
huà话
shuō说
de得
tā他
liǎn脸
shang上
xià下
bu不
lái来
。
A few harsh words made him lose face.
Nǐ你
zhè这
yàng样
dāng当
zhòng众
pī批
píng评
tā他
，
ràng让
tā他
xià下
bu不
lái来
tái台
。
By criticizing him in public like that, you put him in a very awkward position.
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Rú如
guǒ果
jù拒
jué绝
tā他
de的
qǐng请
qiú求
，
wǒ我
pà怕
tā他
xià下
bu不
lái来
。
If I reject his request, I'm afraid he'll be too embarrassed to back down.