Example
“The mayor feared she would lose face if she admitted the announcement had been premature.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
keep a straight face
Neutral · CEFR B2
To remain serious and avoid smiling or laughing in an amusing or awkward moment.
save face
Neutral · CEFR B2
to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure
egg on your face
Informal · CEFR B2
to be embarrassed after being publicly wrong
cut loose
Informal · CEFR B1
to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly
go bananas
Informal · CEFR B1
to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control
raise the roof
Informal · CEFR B1
to create an extremely loud commotion through celebration or protest
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.