xấu mặt
Definition
- Phrase (Idiomatic):
- To lose face / to be embarrassed / to be humiliated: The phrase "xấu mặt" describes the state of experiencing shame, embarrassment, or loss of dignity in front of others, often due to one's own or someone else's actions that violate social norms or expectations.
Usage Examples
- Phrase:
- Hành động của anh ta làm cả gia đình xấu mặt. (His actions made the whole family lose face.)
- Cô ấy cảm thấy rất xấu mặt khi bị phát hiện nói dối. (She felt deeply embarrassed when caught lying.)
- Đừng làm điều gì khiến bản thân xấu mặt. (Don't do anything that will make you lose face.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in contexts involving family honor, social reputation, or public perception. It implies damage to one's social standing or respectability.
Variants and Related Words
- Mất mặt: This is a direct synonym meaning "to lose face."
- Anh ấy đã mất mặt trước toàn thể công ty. (He lost face in front of the entire company.)
Synonyms
- To be ashamed: Feeling shame or guilt.
- To be humiliated: Made to feel ashamed and foolish.
- To be disgraced: Fallen from favor or respect.
Related Idioms
- Xấu hổ: to be ashamed. While "xấu hổ" is a more general term for personal shame, "xấu mặt" strongly emphasizes the public, social aspect of the embarrassment.
- Nó xấu hổ vì điểm kém. (He is ashamed of his bad grade.) [This focuses on personal feeling.]
- Nó làm cha mẹ xấu mặt. (He made his parents lose face.) [This focuses on public reputation.]