Idiom: Lose face / Save face

1. "Lose face"

Meaning

• To become less respected by others or to lose someone's reputation.

• If you lose face, you do something which makes you appear weak and makes people respect or admire you less.

Example Sentences

• She had to accept defeat without losing face.

• His terrible performance in the debate caused him to lose face with the voters.

• John is more afraid of losing face than losing money. 

• Things will go better if you can explain to him where he was wrong without making him lose face.

• Terry lost face when his assistant was promoted and became his boss.

• You made him look bad. He lost face in front of his crew.

• The government can’t agree to the changes without losing face.

• He thinks he would lose face if he admitted the mistake.

• You'll lose face if you don't keep your promise.

2. "Save face"

Meaning

• To keep your reputation and avoid others losing respect for you.

• If you do something in order to save face, you do it in order to avoid appearing weak and losing people's respect or admiration.

Example Sentences

• We said he left "to pursue other interests" to let him save face, but actually we fired him.

• She claimed they'd been in love, but I sensed she was only saying this to save face.

• He tried to save face by apologizing but everyone was too angry with him to care.

• He tried to save face by working overtime.

• Telling the truth to your parents about your failing grades will help you save face.

• What can I do to save face? I don't want my children to think they can't trust me.

• They keep the pregnancy secret in order to save face .

• In international diplomacy, it's often important to allow other countries to find a way to save face in order to successfully conclude negotiations or avoid major conflicts.