saving face
/ˌseɪvɪŋ ˈfeɪs/
helping someone maintain dignity in a difficult situation
saving face in a sentence
“He offered her an out, allowing her to save face.”
Origin of saving face
From Chinese concept of 'face' as social standing
Related Words
graceful disagreement
opposing a view without damaging the relationship
tact
skill in handling delicate situations without giving offense
discretion
knowing when to speak and when to remain silent
reading the room
sensing the mood and adjusting accordingly
code-switching
adjusting language, tone, or behavior for different contexts
register
the level of formality appropriate to a situation