face-saver

[feys-sey-ver]

noun

1. something that saves one's prestige or dignity.

   Allow him the face-saver of resigning instead of being fired.

ˈface-ˌsaver

noun

1. something that serves to maintain the dignity or prestige of someone or something

Other Word Forms

• face-saving noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of face-saver¹

First recorded in 1940–45