灰头土脸 covered in dust
Explanation
形容满头满脸沾满尘土的样子，也形容非常沮丧或狼狈的样子。
Describes someone covered in dust, or someone who is very dejected or embarrassed.
Origin Story
小明参加了学校的运动会，报名参加了长跑比赛。他平时很少锻炼，比赛当天，他跑得气喘吁吁，最终没能跑到终点，脸上也沾满了泥土，灰头土脸地回到了班级。同学们看到他这副模样，都哈哈大笑起来，纷纷安慰他下次继续努力。小明虽然很沮丧，但他并没有放弃，决定以后加强锻炼，争取在下次运动会上取得好成绩。
Xiaoming participated in the school's sports meeting and signed up for the long-distance running race. He seldom exercised, and on the day of the competition, he was breathless and couldn't finish the race, his face covered in mud, and he returned to the class dejectedly. His classmates laughed at his appearance but comforted him, encouraging him to try again next time. Though disheartened, Xiaoming didn't give up; he decided to exercise more, hoping to achieve better results at the next sports meet.
Usage
通常作谓语、宾语、定语；用于描写人物神态。
Usually used as predicate, object, or attributive; used to describe a person's appearance.
Examples
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他这次考试失败了，灰头土脸地回到了家。
tā zhè cì kǎoshì shībài le, huītóutǔliǎn de huí dào le jiā。
He failed the exam this time and returned home dejectedly.
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经过一天的辛苦劳作，工人们灰头土脸地回到了宿舍。
jīngguò yī tiān de xīnkǔ láozùo, gōngrénmen huītóutǔliǎn de huí dào le sùshè。
After a hard day's work, the workers returned to the dormitory with dirt on their faces.
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他灰头土脸地从竞争对手那里回来，彻底败下阵来。
tā huītóutǔliǎn de cóng jìngzhēng duìshǒu nàlǐ huílái, chèdǐ bài xià zhèn lái
He returned from the competitor with a hangdog look, completely defeated.