noun
one's standing; one's face; one's honor
Almost exclusively used in the negative phrase 立つ瀬がない, meaning 'to lose face', 'to have no leg to stand on', or 'to be in an untenable position'. The word itself refers to one's social standing or reputation.
See also: 立つ瀬がない
彼の前でそんなことを言われては、立つ瀬がない。
If you say that in front of him, I'll lose face.
みんなに反対されて、立つ瀬がなかった。
Everyone opposed me, and I had no leg to stand on.
Compound of 立つ (tatsu, 'to stand') and 瀬 (se, 'shallows' or 'place'), literally 'a place to stand'. The figurative meaning of social standing or reputation developed from this spatial metaphor.