抛头露面 (pāo tóu lòu miàn) — to show one's face in public (often implying unwanted attention or putting oneself in the spotlight); (traditional) for a woman to appear in public, considered improper
Definition
A pejorative idiom for deliberately showing one's face in public to seek attention, often for a woman acting against traditional expectations of modesty. Carries a critical tone — not neutral 'appear in public'.
idiom
to show one's face in public (often implying unwanted attention or putting oneself in the spotlight)(traditional) for a woman to appear in publicconsidered improper
Examples
- 抛头露面,。Tā píng shí bù xǐ huan pāo tóu lòu miàn, dàn zhè cì bù dé bù cān jiā.He usually doesn't like to show his face in public, but this time he had to attend.
- ,抛头露面。Míng xīng chū mén shí cháng cháng dài tài yáng jìng, bù xiǎng pāo tóu lòu miàn.Celebrities often wear sunglasses when going out because they don't want to be seen in public.
- ,抛头露面。Zài gǔ dài, dà jiā guī xiù hěn shǎo pāo tóu lòu miàn.In ancient times, well-bred young ladies rarely appeared in public.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.