save face

1. 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

It’s only when everyday people kick up enough fuss that they attempt to save face.

From Salon

The details were a little complicated, perhaps by design to enable both sides to save face.

From BBC

This final is a chance to save face, to gain some kind of redemption.

From BBC

He complained the Army "spit me out," though he tries to save face by claiming "the feeling was mutual."

From Salon

Better to demonstrate prudence, he reasoned, than to rashly reverse a well-considered decision in hope of temporarily saving face.

From Los Angeles Times