save face

Meaning: To maintain/not maintain a degree of pride in a shameful situation.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: Originally lose face was the direct translation of the Chinese saying `tiu lien.'

More idioms — Body & Senses

see eye to eye — To agree.
set someone's teeth on edge — To irritate.
shake a leg — To hurry.
shot in the arm — Something that stimulates, boosts, or renews people's interest.
stand on one's own two feet — To be independent and self-supporting.
stick one's neck out — To take a risk.

stick one's nose in — To try to find out about someone else's private business.
stick out like a sore thumb — Not to blend in; to be obvious and prominent or easily seen.
sweat blood — To put out a great deal of effort; to work very, very hard.
sweep someone off his feet — To overwhelm someone, often causing him or her to fall in love.
talk someone's ear off — To bore someone with one's unending talk.
toe the line — To follow the rules; to do what is expected of one.

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