saving grace
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of saving grace
First recorded in 1590–1600
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.
“I say that because Social Security benefits are taxed, so one saving grace is you’ll pay less in federal income tax,” Kotlikoff said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026
The oil market’s saving grace was the remarkable surplus it carried into the conflict, which cushioned the blow far better than analysts predicted when the Strait of Hormuz first closed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
The only saving grace for investors may be that the stock is already down 25% so far this year–underperforming Delta Air Lines’
From Barron's ● Apr. 23, 2026
Either way, Emma has backed herself into a corner and hopes that honesty and context will be her saving grace.
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2026
“School’s the worst. I mean, the only saving grace is that my girlfriend goes there.”
From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
