撑门面 (chēng mén miàn) — to keep up appearances, to maintain a façade (often through superficial measures)
Definition
A colloquial verb-object phrase meaning to keep up appearances or maintain a façade, usually through superficial effort. Carries a critical or self-deprecating tone — the speaker views the show as hollow.
verb
to keep up appearancesto maintain a façade (often through superficial measures)
Examples
- 撑门面。Tā zhè yàng zuò zhǐ shì wèi le chēng mén miàn.He only does this to keep up appearances.
- ，。Tā chēng le yì tiān de mén mian, qí shí hěn lèi.He put up a front the whole day, but actually he was exhausted.
- 。Tā cóng lái méi chēng guò zhè zhǒng mén mian.She has never put on this kind of show before.
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