死要面子活受罪

死要面子活受罪

Literally means:

gentility without ability is worse than plain beggary

Actually means:

be more nice than wise

死 means insisting upon; 面子 refers to face or vanity; 活受罪 literally means suffering from torments.

This phrase means doing something with great difficulty in order not to lose face, and, as a result, suffering more or sacrificing more. It is usually used to indicate that one's vanity causes more pains or losses. Derogatory.

死，坚持不变。面子，体面，表面的虚荣。活受罪，简直在受折磨或无奈地吃苦头。

死要面子活受罪，为了不失面子而勉强地做某事，以致不得不吃苦头或付出代价。多用来说明或埋怨虚荣心让人吃苦头。具有贬义色彩。