lose face with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose face with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone suffers a loss of respect or reputation in the eyes of others. Example: "He was worried that he would lose face with his colleagues if he admitted to making a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

If I'm wrong, I just lose face with mum".

The Guardian - Sport

They never lose face; with those faces, how could they?

The New York Times

The eurozone crisis has shown the dangers of excessive austerity - so the chancellor won't lose face with international investors.

The Guardian

Nixon and Kissinger, desperate not to lose face with the Chinese and the Soviets, responded to Pakistan's looming defeat with the crazy logic of escalation.

The New Yorker

I blushed: my food ruble had been spent in the café on coffee and cake so I wouldn't lose face with the waitress, and now I had only enough money to pay for the bed.

The New Yorker

The goal you set won't be achieved, or you will be discredited and lose face with the rest of the Muslim world or radical extremism that you signed up for".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A former president, Roh Moo-hyun, threw himself off a cliff in 2009 after losing face with his countrymen.

The New York Times

I'm so proud of you, Father, I thought, of the way you washed away the humiliation and reclaimed our lost face with your wise and courageous action.

The New Yorker

Over the past few decades, however, government has been losing face with people, and people have been losing faith with government.

TechCrunch

The shift wasn't easy, and I admit that I lost face with the few department faculty members who were less than thrilled with my decision to leave the Ph.D. program.

Science Magazine

By the end of Bone Sharps, Marsh is seen to have lost face with the science world at large for his excessive means to acquire fossils; nonetheless, he "defeated" Cope by discovering more new species of dinosaur.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose face with" when you want to emphasize the social consequences of an action, particularly when that action leads to a loss of respect or standing in someone's eyes. This is especially relevant in contexts where maintaining a positive image is highly valued.

Common error

Don't assume that any mistake automatically results in "lose face with" someone. The phrase implies a public or social dimension, suggesting a visible loss of esteem, rather than a private or inconsequential error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose face with" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of diminishing one's reputation or standing in the opinion of another person or group. As Ludwig AI states, this idiom suggests a decline in respect or credibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose face with" describes the act of diminishing one's reputation or standing in the eyes of others. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and used to express a decline in respect or credibility, typically within a social context. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media sources, signifying a neutral register. Rephrasing options include "damage one's reputation with" or "forfeit respect from". A key writing tip is to remember that "losing face" implies a public or social dimension to the loss of esteem, rather than a private or inconsequential error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer humiliation before

Focuses on the experience of being humiliated in front of someone.

damage one's reputation with

Emphasizes the act of harming one's reputation in someone's eyes.

forfeit respect from

Highlights the loss of respect from another person.

compromise standing before

Suggests a weakening of one's position or reputation in someone's presence.

discredit oneself to

Focuses on the action of undermining one's own credibility in relation to someone.

fall from grace with

Implies a decline in favor or esteem in someone's eyes.

diminish credibility among

Emphasizes the lessening of believability within a group.

risk disapproval from

Highlights the potential to receive negative judgment from another.

endanger esteem with

Suggests placing one's positive regard at risk with someone.

jeopardize favor with

Implies putting one's positive standing at risk with someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lose face with"?

Consider using alternatives like "damage one's reputation with", "forfeit respect from", or "discredit oneself to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "lose face with" someone?

To "lose face with" someone means to suffer a loss of respect, credibility, or reputation in their eyes. It typically involves a public or social dimension where the individual's standing is diminished.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "lose face with"?

The phrase is suitable when describing situations where someone's actions or words lead to a visible decline in their social standing or the respect they receive from others, especially in cultures where maintaining a positive image is valued.

Is "lose face with" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "lose face with" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news articles, discussions about social dynamics, or situations where interpersonal relationships are discussed.