save face

English

Etymology

See lose face

Verb

save face

1. (idiomatic) 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

• French: sauver la face (fr)

• Swedish: rädda ansiktet (sv)

See also

• give face
• lose face