save face

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

Years later she would admit she was trying to save face, telling Australian media she was actually dropped from the team.

Former judge Brian Langstaff, who chaired the inquiry, slammed successive governments and medical professionals for “a catalogue of failures” and refusal to admit responsibility to save face and expense.

Israel expects Iran to strike in a way that allows it to save face, but is measured enough to not arouse an even fiercer counter-strike, analysts say.

The move would be largely symbolic, but it would allow Republicans in Congress to save face while ending their so far struggling impeachment inquiry.