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

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

North Korea ignored South Korea’s offer of COVID-19 aid for a second day on Tuesday as dictator Kim Jong-un decides how to combat surging “fevers” in his nation of 26 million while saving face.

From Washington Times • May 17, 2022

Now that our father can see a way of saving face, he’s almost amiable.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan