Tracić twarz
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What it means
Literally “to lose face.” Like the English phrase, it means losing social standing, reputation, or dignity after an embarrassing mistake, an exposed lie, or behaviour that openly conflicts with one’s stated values in front of others.
Vocabulary
- tracić — to lose / waste
- twarz — face
- honor — honor
Grammar note
'Twarz' is in the accusative case. 'Tracić' is the imperfective (the process of losing), while 'stracić' is the perfective (the completed act of losing face).
Cultural context
Although the idea of "face" is often linked with Asian cultures, this idiom is fully natural in Polish and common in politics and business.
Intermediate
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