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 ˈface-ˌsaver¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi now faces only an obscure politician who stepped forward at the last minute to enter the race as a face-saver for the government.

Read more on Seattle Times

When Trump returned with a $2 million television ad buy two weeks ago, even fellow Republicans panned the move as a financially unjustifiable face-saver, one meant to beat back rumors that he was pulling out of the state entirely.

Read more on Washington Post

This deal is a face-saver for both sides: economic advantages for Israel in the form of future gas exports via Turkey, the lessening of isolation for Turkey as well as an easing of the harsh humanitarian conditions for 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza.

Read more on The Guardian

“Let them have their face-saver,” Ms. Pelosi said of the Republicans.

Read more on New York Times

“Let them have their face-saver. But let us have the resources to do what we have to do.”

Read more on Washington Times