save 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.

Had he lied— invented an excuse to explain Anna May’s absence so he could save face?

From Literature

But my mom wasn’t trying to save face in front of the nurses; she lied for their benefit.

From The Wall Street Journal

To save face with her fellow pensioners, Mrs. Palfrey passes off a struggling writer she meets on the street as her grandson, only to draw confusingly close to him.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s only when everyday people kick up enough fuss that they attempt to save face.

From Salon

The details were a little complicated, perhaps by design to enable both sides to save face.

From BBC