Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
face saver
noun
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪ These tax cuts were the face saver the President needed after the latest economic figures were released.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ Michael Ryan was offering him a face saver and he knew it.
WordNet
face saver
n. an act that avoids a loss of face (of dignity or prestige) [syn: face saving]