😳 Saving Face: Dignity, Honor, and the Mask We Wear 🎭
Definition
To avoid embarrassment; to redeem one’s dignity.
Context
The face here means outward appearances, the face that one presents to the world. The concept itself is often regarded as quintessentially Asian but actually is far more widespread, and perhaps it always has been. A typical example of saving face might be to resign before one is fired. The term has been around since about 1900. W. Somerset Maugham used it in his first important novel, Of Human Bondage (1915): “To save his face he began making suggestions for altering it.”
Synonyms
- Preserve one’s reputation
- Maintain dignity
- Salvage pride
- Keep up appearances
Antonyms
- Lose face
- Suffer humiliation
- Damage reputation
- Show weakness
Related Expressions
- Lose face: To suffer embarrassment; to be humiliated.
- Saving grace: A redeeming quality, especially one that compensates for one’s shortcomings.
Common Phrases
- “Going down with dignity.”
- “Graceful exit.”
- “Bite the bullet and move on.”
Humor-Filled Quote
“Asking for feedback at work is a great way to save face. Specifically, the face of someone who’s about to run into a brick wall of criticism.”
Proverbs
- Chinese Proverb: “Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.”
Literature & References
- Novel: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham (1915)
- Book: The Art of War by Sun Tzu – discusses the importance of strategizing to maintain honor and respect.
- Song: “Dignity” by Bob Dylan – muses on the idea of keeping one’s honor intact.
- Poetry: If— by Rudyard Kipling – emphasizes maintaining one’s virtue under pressure.
- Movie: The Godfather (1972) – reveals multiple facets of family honor and saving face in a crime-ridden world.
Quizzes
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] Saving face
- [ ] Burning ice
- [ ] Gilting pumpkins
- [ ] Walking on grapes
> **Explanation:** "Saving face" is indeed a commonly known idiom related to maintaining dignity. The others don’t quite make sense in common language!
### Which phrase pertains to retaining dignity?
- [x] Saving face
- [ ] Throwing pottery at the wall
- [ ] Doodling with ditchwater
- [ ] Singing with sparkling soda
> **Explanation:** "Saving face" is all about retaining one’s dignity, whereas the other options are nonsensical.
### True or False: 'Saving face' is universally recognized beyond Asian cultures.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** While it is often seen as an Asian concept, the idea of "saving face" is recognized and practiced worldwide.
Invaluably yours,
L. Oquacious Lips
