lose face

USAGE SUMMARY

'lose face' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to causing someone to lose respect or prestige, usually in a social or professional context. For example, "John was embarrassed to learn that the CEO had found out about his mistake, so he felt he had to resign to save himself from losing face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He will lose face.

The New York Times

But he doesn't lose face.

The New York Times

Basically, no one likes to lose face.

The New York Times

People don't want to lose face.

The New York Times

"They make us lose face".

The New York Times

He doesn't want people to lose face.

The New Yorker

They don't want to lose face.

The Guardian

"No one wants to lose face.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

No one loses face.

Harvard Business Review

"We have lost face," he declared.

The New York Times

They also hate losing face.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose face" when describing situations where someone's reputation or social standing is at risk, particularly in contexts where honor and respect are highly valued.

Common error

Avoid using "lose face" literally, as it's an idiomatic expression referring to a loss of respect, not a physical alteration of one's face. Using it outside of its intended cultural context might lead to misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose face" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of experiencing a loss of respect or prestige. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose face" is a common idiom that means to suffer a loss of respect or prestige. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. The phrase is particularly relevant in discussions about social dynamics, business negotiations, and political situations, especially when honor and respect are highly valued. While the expression is frequently used in news and media, it is also used in academia and business contexts. To avoid misinterpretations, remember that "lose face" is an idiomatic expression and should be used to describe a loss of social standing, not a physical alteration. Alternatives such as "suffer humiliation", "be disgraced", or "be embarrassed" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be humiliated

Stronger emphasis on the act of being publicly embarrassed.

suffer humiliation

This alternative uses stronger language, emphasizing the feeling of being humiliated.

be shamed

Implies a feeling of intense embarrassment and dishonor.

be disgraced

This option denotes a more severe loss of honor and reputation.

be discredited

This refers to having one's reputation or credibility damaged.

be embarrassed

This indicates a milder form of losing face, focusing on feeling awkward or ashamed.

lose credibility

Focuses specifically on the loss of believability or trustworthiness.

fall from grace

This suggests a loss of status or favor, often after a period of success.

be humbled

This implies a reduction in pride or arrogance, potentially involving a loss of face.

eat humble pie

This idiom signifies admitting a mistake or accepting humiliation gracefully.

FAQs

How can I use "lose face" in a sentence?

You can use "lose face" to describe a situation where someone experiences humiliation or a loss of respect. For example, "The politician feared he would "lose face" if the scandal became public".

What does it mean to "lose face"?

"Lose face" means to suffer a loss of respect, prestige, or dignity, often in front of others. It's about damaging one's reputation or standing in a social or professional context.

What can I say instead of "lose face"?

You can use alternatives like "suffer humiliation", "be disgraced", or "be embarrassed" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the expression "lose face"?

The expression "lose face" is best used in contexts where cultural sensitivity and social standing are important. It's common in discussions about business negotiations, political situations, or personal relationships, especially when discussing avoiding public shame.