save face

Idioms

Avoid humiliation or embarrassment, preserve dignity, as in Rather than fire him outright, they let him save face by accepting his resignation. The phrase, which uses face in the sense of “outward appearances,” is modeled on the antonym lose face. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bazer is a top researcher on reproductive biology and he is still working because he loves the job—not to save taxes.

From Barron's • Jun. 13, 2026

The move can save taxes and accomplish other goals for families.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Many crypto firms are based in Zug, Switzerland, where they can save taxes and tokens are less likely to be considered securities.

From Economist • Nov. 9, 2017

It wouldn’t save taxes on U.S. profits, but it could cut U.S. taxes on foreign income, and that could really add up in the future.

From Forbes • Aug. 5, 2014

Several of the windows were broken and patched up with boards; and others had been bricked up to save taxes.

From Tales of a Traveller by Irving, Washington

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023