saving face

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Better to demonstrate prudence, he reasoned, than to rashly reverse a well-considered decision in hope of temporarily saving face.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2024

But it wasn’t just saving face that compelled Seattle to pay handsomely to keep Williams.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2024

Our Chinese culture is full of stoicism and saving face.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2023

It is possible that Mr Musk is buying himself some time and saving face, ahead of a court case that many predicted he was unlikely to win.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2022

There was left to him only the possibility of saving face and Mack was likely to be very generous about that.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck