face-saving

face·-saving (fās′sā′viŋ)

adjective

preserving or intended to preserve one's dignity, self-respect, or good reputation

Modifies a noun

exercise: It seemed to be - the correct word, more of a face-saving exercise, a retracting exercise from their point of view.
way: The Aussies will surely return home, and England's scheduled tour in October looks like being canceled in a decent, face-saving way.
compromise: A legal ruling which assigns blame to one side can make it more difficult to reach a face-saving political compromise.
gesture: For Bush's pronouncements on aid to be more than a face-saving gesture much more needs to be done.
device: While Weston doesn't draw this conclusion, relativism can be seen as the final face-saving device of the dogmatist.
settlement: You will not even give the Arabs a face-saving settlement now.

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