失态 (shī tài) — to lose one's composure; to behave improperly or undignifiedly (especially in social situations)

Definition

Examples

• 在重要场合一定要保持冷静，千万不要失态。
  Zài zhòng yào chǎng hé yí dìng yào bǎo chí lěng jìng, qiān wàn bú yào shī tài.
  On important occasions you must stay calm; never lose your composure.
• 她因为太生气，一时控制不住感情，有点失态。
  Tā yīn wèi tài shēng qì, yì shí kòng zhì bú zhù gǎn qíng, yǒu diǎn shī tài.
  Because she was so angry, she momentarily lost control of her emotions and got a little out of line.
• 他在老板面前说话太冲动，结果失态了，让人觉得很尴尬。
  Tā zài lǎo bǎn miàn qián shuō huà tài chōng dòng, jié guǒ shī tài le, ràng rén jué de hěn gān gà.
  He spoke too impulsively in front of the boss and consequently lost his composure, making people feel very awkward.

Origin