Foreign learners will hear many Chinese expressions from Chinese people when they come to study Chinese like 摆谱子 and 撑门面. The former one means try to appear rich and elegant while the latter indicates to keep up appearances. When we use 摆谱子, we usually express that people attach much importance to the forms and to make people feel it is extraordinary. Foreigners who study Chinese may also hear the Chinese expressions of the same meaning like 摆谱儿、摆样子、摆阔.

门面 implies the appearance. Accordingly, 撑门面 means to maintain the fantastic appearance. When you study Chinese in China, you can also say 装门面、摆门面、撑场面. It often used to indicate to maintain the social status or fame of the higher society level. However, when you learn to speak Chinese, you should know it also can use to say keep the appearance even if there is no the actual strength. We often use the structures like 给…撑门面、靠…撑门面、撑着这个门面.