Meaning & use
face-saving behavior
Last updated
UK/ˈfeɪs ˌseɪvɪŋ bɪˈheɪvjə/
US/ˈfeɪs ˌseɪvɪŋ bɪˈheɪvjər/
Meaning
noununcountabletechnical
Actions people take to avoid embarrassment or to protect their dignity in front of others.
Grammar: Used without an or an: Face-saving behavior is common in meetings.
Patterns
- face-saving behavior in a situation
- a form of face-saving behavior
In many cultures, face-saving behavior is more important than being right.
The study looked at face-saving behavior among students who had failed an exam.
His silence was a kind of face-saving behavior after the mistake.
Common combinations
- a pattern of face-saving behavior
- The report described a pattern of face-saving behavior in the company.
- face-saving behavior in negotiations
- Face-saving behavior in negotiations can slow down an agreement.
- cultural face-saving behavior
- Cultural face-saving behavior varies from country to country.
Synonyms and how they differ
- saving face
- Saving face is the everyday phrase; face-saving behavior is the formal, academic term.
- impression management
- Impression management is a broader term for controlling how others see you; face-saving behavior is only about avoiding embarrassment.
Opposites
self-deprecating behavior
Word family
- face-saving adjective
- Done to protect someone from embarrassment.
- save face phrase
- To avoid embarrassment or loss of respect.
Practice
The researcher studied how people use ______ to avoid looking foolish in public.
Choose one answer.
'Face-saving behavior' is uncountable and takes no article. The plural and article forms are not standard.
Make it your own
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