THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Save face
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Avoid losing respect or feeling publicly embarrassed.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Correcting the figure quietly helped him save face.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Correcting the figure quietly helped him ________.
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Save face — Avoid losing respect or feeling publicly embarrassed.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Save face” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Avoid losing respect or feeling publicly embarrassed.
Compare: Correcting the figure quietly helped him save face.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this expression when a tactful solution helps someone keep their dignity after a mistake or setback. It is common in discussions of disagreements and workplace relationships.
More examples in context
- The compromise gave both teams a way to save face.
- She allowed me to explain the mix-up privately so I could save face.
Usage note
The common form is “save face”, without “a” or “the”. Helping someone save face need not mean hiding the truth; you can correct an error respectfully without humiliating them.
A short conversation
A: Why did you mention the error after the meeting instead of during it?
B: It was minor, and I wanted to let him save face while we corrected it.
A: That sounds considerate.
One more practice question
Which action helps someone save face while correcting a minor error?
A. Mocking the person in front of the whole group.
B. Explaining the correction respectfully in private.
Check your answer
B. A respectful correction protects the person from unnecessary public embarrassment.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.