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british

face-saver

[ feys-sey-ver ]

/ ˈfeɪsˌseɪ vər /

noun

something that saves one's prestige or dignity: Allow him the face-saver of resigning instead of being fired.

Origin of face-saver

First recorded in 1940–45

OTHER WORDS FROM face-saver

face-sav·ing, noun, adjective

Words nearby face-saver

face-harden, face-lift, face-nail, face-off, face-plant, face-saver, face-saving, face-to-face, facebar, facebook, facecloth

Example sentences from the Web for face-saving

The face-saving compromise that saved the country from default was simply a promise to deal with the deficit later.

Washington Runs Out of Gas as Budget Battle Leads to More Paralysis |Howard Kurtz |March 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Edward, at least, was given the face-saving task of dashing off to see Daddy in hospital.

The Curse of Fergie: Sarah Ferguson Is Back, at the London Olympics |Tom Sykes |August 9, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Israel rightly fears that its allies may accept a face-saving, temporary agreement that ignores the key issues.

Netanyahu's Timetable |David Frum |May 5, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
For face-saving purposes, I suggested that the capitulation could be to NATO, rather than other Libyans.

Inside the Rebel Endgame |Fadel Lamen |August 22, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

The news release papers things over with friendly quotes that appear to be part of a face-saving effort.

Glenn Beck, Fox Agree to Divorce |Howard Kurtz |April 6, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
They both leaped at a chance to make a face-saving agreement.

Bear Trap |Alan Edward Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for face-saving (1 of 2)

face-saving

adjective

maintaining dignity or prestige

British Dictionary definitions for face-saving (2 of 2)

face-saver

noun

something that serves to maintain the dignity or prestige of someone or something