Covering the economic and industrial might of Japan

顔がつぶれる [かおがつぶれる, kao ga tsubureru] lose status; have lost status

As much as the Japanese worry about this, you would think that they, politicians and dirty businessmen would be more particular about their many misdeeds.

Still, when they are found out, inevitably you will hear that they have lost face.

Yeah...unfortunately, I have had this happen to me as well.

And, I never got it back in some circles. 

顔が汚れる[かおがよごれる, kao ga yogareru]  is the same.