face-saver

American  

[feys-sey-ver] / ˈfeɪsˌseɪ vər /

noun

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

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

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ˈface-ˌsaver British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• face-saving noun

Etymology

Origin of face-saver

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.

From Seattle Times

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.

From The Guardian

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

From New York Times

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

From Washington Times

“There had to be some face-saver for the Chinese,” a source told the paper.

From New York Times