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save face

save face
S s

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [seyv feys]
    • /seɪv feɪs/
    • /seɪv feɪs/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [seyv feys]
    • /seɪv feɪs/

Definitions of save face words

  • noun save face the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin. 1
  • noun save face a look or expression on this part: a sad face. 1
  • noun save face an expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace: The child put on a face when told to go to bed. 1
  • noun save face cosmetics; makeup: Excuse me while I go to the powder room to put on my face. 1
  • noun save face impudence; boldness: to have the face to ask such a rude question. 1
  • noun save face outward appearance: These are just old problems with new faces. The future presented a fair face to the fortunate youth. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of save face

First appearance:

before 1250
One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *facia, for Latin faciēs facies; (v.) late Middle English facen, derivative of the noun

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Save face

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

save face popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

save face usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Antonyms for save face

verb save face

  • have egg on one's face — (Idiomatic) To suffer embarrassment or humiliation; to damage one's reputation.
  • lose face — the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.

See also

Matching words

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