Definition

Noun: - An action or measure taken to avoid humiliation or to preserve one's dignity or prestige: "face saving" refers to a specific act or effort made to prevent oneself or another from experiencing public embarrassment, loss of respect, or a damaged reputation.

Usage

• "Face saving" is used as a noun, typically in the context of social, diplomatic, or professional situations where maintaining honor or avoiding shame is important.
• It often describes a compromise, gesture, or statement that allows all parties involved to retreat from a difficult position without appearing defeated or disrespected.

Examples

• The diplomat proposed a face-saving compromise that allowed both countries to claim a partial victory.
• He offered a public apology as a face-saving measure to end the controversy.
• The manager's resignation was presented as a personal decision, but everyone knew it was a face-saving move by the company.

Advanced Usage

• "Face-saving gesture": A specific action intended to help someone avoid embarrassment.
  • Allowing the CEO to announce the merger as a "strategic partnership" was a crucial face-saving gesture.
• "Face-saving exit/retreat": A way to withdraw from a situation while preserving dignity.
  • The treaty provided a face-saving retreat for the withdrawing forces.

Variants and Related Words

• Face-saver (noun): Something that serves as a means of saving face.
  • The minor concession acted as a useful face-saver in the negotiations.
• Face-saving (adjective): Used to describe actions or measures with this purpose.
  • They reached a face-saving agreement.

Synonyms

• Salvage of honor
• Preservation of dignity
• Avoidance of embarrassment

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To save face": This is the verb phrase from which the noun "face saving" is derived. It means to avoid humiliation.
  • He changed his story slightly to save face after his error was exposed.
• "A loss of face": The experience of humiliation or damage to one's prestige that "face saving" aims to prevent.
  • The scandal caused a significant loss of face for the politician.

Noun

1. an act that avoids a loss of face (of dignity or prestige)