save face

English

Etymology

See lose face.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Verb

save face (third-person singular simple present saves face, present participle saving face, simple past and past participle saved face)

  1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honour.
    He tried to make reparations to those he had injured, partly to save face.

Translations

See also

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