How do you use "Keeping up appearances" in a sentence?

She's always keeping up appearances. All about keeping up appearances with the neighbours. Can't afford it but must keep up appearances.

Keeping up appearances

Q: What does "Keeping up appearances" mean?

Maintaining a respectable image despite circumstances Putting on a show of respectability or wealth even when reality doesn't match. Associated with middle-class anxiety about status.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Maintaining a respectable image despite circumstances

不顾实际情况维持体面形象

Mantener una imagen respetable a pesar de las circunstancias

状況に関わらず体裁を保つこと

상황에 관계없이 체면을 유지하는 것

Putting on a show of respectability or wealth even when reality doesn't match. Associated with middle-class anxiety about status.

即使现实不符，也要装出体面或富裕的样子。与中产阶级对社会地位的焦虑有关。

Aparentar respetabilidad o riqueza aunque la realidad no coincida. Asociado con la ansiedad de la clase media por el estatus.

現実が伴わなくても、体裁や裕福さを取り繕うこと。体面を気にする中産階級的な不安に関連する。

현실이 그에 미치지 못하더라도 체면이나 부유함을 과시하는 것을 의미한다. 지위에 대한 중산층의 불안감과 관련이 있다.

Examples

She's always keeping up appearances.
她总是在维持面子
Siempre está guardando las apariencias
彼女はいつも体裁を取り繕っている
그녀는 항상 체면을 차리고 있어.
All about keeping up appearances with the neighbours.
一切都是为了在邻居面前保持体面
Todo se trata de guardar las apariencias ante los vecinos
近所に対して見栄を張ることばかり
이웃 앞에서 체면 유지하는 것에만 신경 써.
Can't afford it but must keep up appearances.
负担不起但必须撑面子
No puede permitírselo pero tiene que guardar las apariencias
余裕はないが体裁は保たねばならない
여유가 없지만 체면은 유지해야 해.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: social commentary, everyday

Tone: often critical or pitying

✓ Do Say

Just keeping up appearances
只是维持面子而已
solo guardando las apariencias
ただ体裁を保っているだけ
그저 체면 유지하는 것
All about appearances
全靠面子
todo son apariencias
見かけがすべて
체면이 전부

✗ Don't Say

N/A—widely understood
无特别注意事项，广泛理解的表达
Sin restricciones: expresión ampliamente comprendida
特に注意点なし。広く理解されている表現
해당 없음—널리 통용되는 표현

Common Mistakes

None significant

Origin & History

Long-standing English phrase about maintaining social respectability. Made famous by the 1990s BBC sitcom of the same name starring Patricia Routledge.

Etymology: Keep up (maintain) + appearances (outward show)

First recorded: 19th century, sitcom 1990s

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All generations

Social background: Middle class anxiety

Pop culture: Keeping Up Appearances (BBC sitcom)

Regional notes: British expression.

Variations

Keeping up appearancesKeep up appearances