keep up appearances
verb1
Idiomatic To artificially maintain an outward sign of normality; to maintain an appearance of wealth, comfort, or propriety.
- For my father's sake, I thought I must keep up appearances, but the food stuck in my throat, and I could not swallow another mouthful.
- With tact and management it would be possible to partially satisfy creditors, and keep up appearances for six months more.
- Related terms
- save face