face-saving

adjective

1. maintaining dignity or prestige

Example Sentences

As Trump continued spreading false fraud claims and filing legal challenges, Pence reportedly suggested on 12 November a “face-saving option”: "Don’t concede but recognize the process is over."

From BBC

At a “private lunch on November 12….Pence reiterated a face-saving option for the defendant: “don’t concede but recognize the process is over.”

From Salon

For instance, in the film, Prince Andrew is told Covid is to be used as a face-saving excuse for him not to be at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

From BBC

So instead they spin a face-saving story about how they're sure he's got an ace up his sleeve and the stock will bounce back.

From Salon

“It’s a way that you can give food to the people in your neighborhood and give it freely and equally and, well, it’s a face-saving measure.”

From Seattle Times