English-French translations for keep up appearances

sauver les apparencesLors de l'annonce des candidatures, il n'y a même pas eu de tentative de sauver les apparences. During the announcement of candidacies there was not even an attempt to keep up appearances. Il fallait sauver les apparences et ne pas donner l'impression aux citoyens des États membres que l'on mettait en place les structures d'un État fédéral. It was important to keep up appearances and not give European citizens the impression that the structures of a federal state were being put in place. Ils préfèrent que la Commission européenne continue avec les mêmes instruments et politiques qui ont débouché sur cette situation, moyennant quelques retouches colorées pour sauver les apparences. They prefer for the European Commission to continue with the same instruments and policies that have led to this situation, albeit with a few pink and green touch-ups to keep up appearances.

To pretend to be all right or that everything is going well; to maintain an appearance of wealth, comfort or propriety

For my fathers 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.

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