Keeping up appearances despite being poor; maintaining dignity or a stiff upper lip even when one lacks resources (often with an ironic or critical tone).
給料が減っても彼は質のいい靴を履き続けた。まさに武士は食わねど高楊枝だ。
Even after his pay was cut he kept wearing nice shoes. It's a classic case of 'keeping up appearances despite poverty.'
借金だらけなのに親の前では平然としている。あれは武士は食わねど高楊枝というやつだ。
He's full of debt but acts calm in front of his parents. That's what they call keeping up appearances.
見栄を張るのはやめたほうがいい。武士は食わねど高楊枝では本当の助けにはならない。
You should stop putting on airs. Keeping up appearances won't really help.