At a glance
Noun の手前 means "in front of someone, out of concern for how it would look to them". It is used when someone's presence or eyes make you act, or hold back, to keep face.
Noun の手前、[clause]
子供の手前、けんかをやめた。 We stopped arguing because the children were watching.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Form | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | Noun + の手前 | 部下の手前 | Speech and writing, somewhat formal |
| Verb | Plain form + 手前, usually た-form | 約束した手前 | Speech and writing, somewhat formal |
With a noun you need の. With a verb there is no の.