VOCABULARY
顔を立てる
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to save someone's face / to show respect
save someone's face, uphold someone's reputation, give deference to someone, ensure someone keeps their dignity
idiom
phrase
Example sentences
今回は部長の顔を立てて引き下がった。
This time I backed off to save the manager's face.
先輩の顔を立てるために黙っていた。
I stayed quiet to show respect to my senior.
ここは私の顔を立ててくれませんか。
Could you save my face here?
彼は上司の顔を立てた提案をした。
He made a proposal that upheld his boss's reputation.
Practice exercises
1
上司の顔を立てておけば、後々の仕事がしやすくなるだろう。
If you save your boss's face, your work will likely become easier later on.
Answer
顔を立てて
2
部下の失敗を厳しく叱責したが、最後は彼の顔を立てる形で収めた。
Although I severely reprimanded my subordinate for his failure, in the end, I settled it in a way that saved his face.
Answer
顔を立てる
3
彼の主張には納得できない部分も多かったが、長年の功績を鑑み、最後は彼の顔を立てて皆で承諾した。
Although there were many parts of his argument we couldn't agree with, considering his long-standing achievements, in the end, we all approved it, saving his face.
Answer
顔を立てて
4
彼の顔を立てるために、今回は彼の意見に従うべきだ。
To save his face, we should follow his opinion this time.
Answer
顔を立てる
5
先輩の顔を立てるために、意見を合わせた。
I went along with the opinion to save my senior's face.
Answer
顔を立てる