Example
“The mayor feared she would lose face if she admitted the announcement had been premature.”
Dictionary details
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
keep a straight face
CEFR B2To remain serious and avoid smiling or laughing in an amusing or awkward moment.
Neutral
save face
CEFR B2to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure
Neutral
egg on your face
CEFR B2to be embarrassed after being publicly wrong
Informal
cut loose
CEFR B1to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly
Informal
go bananas
CEFR B1to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control
Informal
raise the roof
CEFR B1to create an extremely loud commotion through celebration or protest
Informal
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.