saving grace

American  

noun

1. a quality that makes up for other generally negative characteristics; redeeming feature.

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Etymology

Origin of saving grace

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

His saving grace proved to be his wife Linda, whom he married in March 1969.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

The one saving grace, said Timer, has been the public's "very significant rising awareness" of deforestation in Indonesia since the disaster.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Amid all the hand-wringing about a decline in job openings and rising layoffs, there’s a less-followed labor-market trend that’s been a saving grace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Bill Plaschke’s New Year’s Day column on Los Angeles sports as a saving grace in very difficult times was a home run, touchdown and three-point shot all at one time.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2026

And that's not such a had thing because your saving grace is that you’ve never lied to yourself about it.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini