Definition
撑门面 is a verb-object phrase (离合词) meaning 'to keep up appearances' or 'to maintain a façade' — literally 'to prop up the storefront'. It describes using superficial means (expensive clothes, fancy decorations, prestigious connections) to make oneself or one's group look more important or successful than they really are. Since it's a separable verb, you can insert elements between 撑 and 门面, like 撑了一次门面 ('kept up appearances once') or 撑过门面 ('have kept up appearances').
v.o.
to keep up appearancesto maintain a façade (often through superficial measures)
Examples
- 撑门面。Tā zhèyàng zuò zhǐshì wèile chēng mén miàn.He only does this to keep up appearances.
- ，。Tā chēng le yì tiān de mén miàn, qíshí hěn lèi.He put up a front the whole day, but actually he was exhausted.
- 。Tā cónglái méi chēng guò zhè zhǒng mén miàn.She has never put on this kind of show before.
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