put up a front vs keep up appearances

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning of pretending to be different from how one really is. 'Put up a front' suggests creating a false appearance or facade, while 'keep up appearances' implies maintaining a certain image or behavior to hide the truth.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 123 views

put up a front

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean pretending to be different from how one really is.

This phrase is used when someone is pretending to be someone they are not, often to deceive others or protect themselves. It implies creating a false appearance or facade.

Examples:

He always puts up a front of being happy, but deep down, he is struggling with depression.
She put up a front of confidence during the presentation, even though she was nervous inside.

Show examples from the web [+]

put up a front
I got to put up a front.
Humans must put up a front like that in public.
But I know she's trying to put up a front to protect me.
Humans must put up a front like that in public.
Me, I put up a front so the world won't see how vulnerable I'm not.
No need to put up a front, to be what anyone else wants you to be.
You don't have to put up a front with me With me of all people
You put up a front
You don't have to put up a front, ma'am.
Competing for these mandates would be a great incentive for political parties to put up a front runner for the European elections, to develop a programme for the five year term and to have a joint European campaign, he said.
The union didn't put up a united front.
You must put up a brave front.
You know, if he intends to stay here, we've got to put up a united front.
If he wants to put up a brave front and protect me from the truth, then fine.
She puts up a good front, but I'm worried about her.
We need to get down to the police station to put up a united front for your mother.
Mr. Pfeiffer put up a good front but it was clear that the Obama administration had run out of ideas of what to do.
MY SISTER PUTS UP A FRONT SO THE WORLD WON'T SEE HOW VULNERABLE SHE IS.
I even got engaged to a girl once, a girl at the radio station, to put up a false front.
The European Union is not ready to put up a united front against the United Nations system.

Alternatives:

maintain a facade
create a false appearance
act like everything is fine
wear a mask
put on a show

keep up appearances

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean maintaining a certain image or behavior to hide the truth.

This phrase is used when someone continues to behave in a way that maintains a favorable impression, even if it is not authentic. It implies the act of preserving a facade or image.

Examples:

Despite their financial troubles, they tried to keep up appearances by hosting lavish parties.
She always keeps up appearances in front of her colleagues, even though she is going through a difficult time.

Show examples from the web [+]

We need to keep up appearances, even you.
President Coslovic needs to keep up appearances.
He said I was pretending to care to keep up appearances.
We need to keep up appearances, even you.
Is it possible Mrs. Barlow might feel pressure to keep up appearances with you?
I guess he just wanted to keep up appearances.
No, but... It's important to keep up appearances.
Your mother sells tacos, and we men keep up appearances.
For the sake of the campaign, we need to keep up appearances.
Best to keep up appearances for now.
I had to keep up appearances for school.
You're the one who has to keep up appearances...
Maggie sends herself flowers once a week to keep up appearances.
You're here to keep up appearances for the Soviets.
Chaplin the Tramp, he tried to keep up appearances.
At all hazards, a man must keep up appearances.
During the announcement of candidacies there was not even an attempt to keep up appearances.
So I tried to work through it, keep up appearances.
I wish I could help you, but we've got to keep up appearances.
That's not true, it's enough to keep up appearances.

Alternatives:

maintain a facade
preserve an image
pretend to be someone you're not
act like everything is fine
put on a show

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