save face

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

save face

Since huge numbers left as he was mid-speech at the opening celebration, this seems an unwise way to save face.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

"Both sides need to be able to claim victory and save face, whatever deal they agree on," a diplomat based in the Middle East told AFP on condition of anonymity.

From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026

But my mom wasn’t trying to save face in front of the nurses; she lied for their benefit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

Enough canceled flights could annoy members of Congress so much, on a personal level, that they get into a bipartisan dealmaking spirit that allows everyone to save face.

From Slate ● Nov. 7, 2025

Had he lied— invented an excuse to explain Anna May’s absence so he could save face?

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu