save-faceadj.n.
/ˈseɪvfeɪs/, U.S. /ˈseɪvˌfeɪs/ A. adj.
That averts disgrace or humiliation; face-saving.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > [adjective] > preserving one's reputation
save-face1900
face-saving1901
1900 Suppl. to London & China Tel. 24 Apr. 8/1 Its occupation was generally regarded as a ‘save face’ stroke on the part of the British Government.
1911 Fortn. Rev. Nov. 1038 The Cabinet contains names of men who are not likely to hold office, and there are other evidences that it is a ‘save-face’ expedient.
1966 ‘R. Standish’ Widow Hack i. 8 A save-face formula to enable Janet to plead force majeure.
2000 J. Oughton Perfect Family 144 What we need right here is a save-face story.
B. n.
Something done or said in order to avoid disgrace or humiliation; a face-saver.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > [noun] > preserving one's reputation > that which
save-face1901
face-saver1910
1901 N.Y. Times 16 Nov. 8/2 Such a ‘save face’ presumes as much upon popular ignorance of what really happened as the imperial Chinese devices for saving the face of the dynasty.
1917 Chambers's Jrnl. Jan. 13/2 The civilian native staff had bolted at the first sign of trouble, ‘going to report to the authorities’ being their ‘save face’ for it!
1967 Bilingual-bicultural Educ. U.S. (U.S. Senate Special Sub-committee Bilingual Educ.) 557 By allowing us a dignity and a save face, [etc.].
2001 E. Brady Bad Date iii. 26 Belatedly, Ernie attempted a save-face.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1900