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Synonyms for save face


Grammar : Verb
Spell : feys
Phonetic Transcription : feɪs



Définition of save face

Origin :
  • late 13c., "front of the head," from Old French face (12c.) "face, countenance, look, appearance," from Vulgar Latin *facia (cf. Italian faccia), from Latin facies "appearance, form, figure," and secondarily "visage, countenance;" probably related to facere "to make" (see factitious).
  • Replaced Old English andwlita (from root of wlitan "to see, look") and ansyn, the usual word (from the root of seon "see"). In French, the use of face for "front of the head" was given up 17c. and replaced by visage (older vis), from Latin visus "sight." To lose face (or save face), 1876, is said to be from Chinese tu lien. Face value was originally (1878) of bank notes, postage stamps, etc.
  • verb preserve one's dignity
Example sentences :
  • But once the matter is brought to their “official attention,” they have to take action in order to “save face.”
  • Extract from : « Ifugao Law » by R. F. Burton
  • Just as the Chinese will do anything to "save face" so the Briton will do anything not to "lose face."
  • Extract from : « The Pacific Triangle » by Sydney Greenbie
  • Her skipper offered me a tow, but I was anxious to save face as much as possible by returning on my own, and so declined.
  • Extract from : « Sea-Hounds » by Lewis R. Freeman

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