save face
English
Etymology
See lose face.
Verb
save face (third-person singular simple present saves face, present participle saving face, simple past and past participle saved face)
- (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
preserve reputation
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See also
- give face
- lose face
- cut off one's nose to spite one's face