save face

See lose face.

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save face (third-person singular simple present saves face, present participle saving face, simple past and past participle saved face)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honour.

   He tried to make reparations to those he had injured, partly to save face.

• give face
• lose face
• cut off one's nose to spite one's face