繕つくろい立たてる

ichidan verb

put up a good front; keep up appearances; cover up

Used when someone tries to hide a mistake, flaw, or awkward situation by pretending everything is fine, often in a somewhat obvious or clumsy way. The verb combines 繕う (to mend, to patch up) with 立てる (to do something vigorously), emphasizing the effort to maintain a facade.

• 彼かれは失しっ敗ぱいを繕つくろい立たてようとしたが、すぐにばれてしまった。

  He tried to cover up his mistake, but it was soon found out.

• 彼かの女じょは笑え顔がおで繕つくろい立たてたが、本ほん当とうはとても悲かなしそうだった。

  She put on a brave face with a smile, but she actually looked very sad.