save face
idiom
: to avoid having other people lose respect for oneself
He tried to save face by working overtime.
Examples of save face in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tactics included lying to save face, using short replies to satisfy curiosity, and changing the topic quickly.
—
Anesce Dremen, Longreads, 3 July 2025
Their bodies are offered up to preserve power and save face.
—Ava Homa, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
Try to preserve dignity (save face) since the optimism was publicly held.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Porto seeks redemption The Club World Cup is redemption time for Porto, an opportunity to save face after finishing the Primeira Liga in third place for the second year in a row.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for save face
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anesce Dremen, Longreads, 3 July 2025
Their bodies are offered up to preserve power and save face.
—Ava Homa, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
Try to preserve dignity (save face) since the optimism was publicly held.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Porto seeks redemption The Club World Cup is redemption time for Porto, an opportunity to save face after finishing the Primeira Liga in third place for the second year in a row.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for save face
Cite this Entry
“Save face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/save%20face. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share