keep up appearances; put up a facade
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to keep up appearances; to put up a facade; to do something merely for show
Often carries a negative connotation of superficiality or pretense. Commonly used to criticize actions that prioritize appearance over substance.
Tā他
men们
gōng公
sī司
zhuāng装
xiū修
de得
hěn很
háo豪
huá华
，
qí其
shí实
zhǐ只
shì是
wèi为
le了
zhuāng装
mén门
mian面
。
Their company is decorated very luxuriously, but actually it's just to keep up appearances.
Mǎi买
nà那
me么
guì贵
de的
chē车
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
zhuāng装
mén门
mian面
bà罢
le了
。
Buying such an expensive car is nothing more than putting up a facade.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
chuān穿
de得
guāng光
xiān鲜
，
nà那
zhǐ只
shì是
zhuāng装
mén门
mian面
。
Don't be fooled by his flashy clothes; that's just for show.