面めん子つを立たてる

expression, ichidan verb

save face; preserve someone's honor

Used when someone acts to protect another person's dignity or reputation, often in social situations. The expression implies a deliberate effort to avoid embarrassment.

See also: 立てる (たてる)

• 彼かれは上じょう司しの面めん子つを立たてるために、会かい議ぎで自じ分ぶんの意い見けんを引ひっ込こめた。

  He withdrew his own opinion at the meeting to save his boss's face.

• 友とも達だちの面めん子つを立たてて、彼かれの提てい案あんに賛さん成せいした。

  I agreed with my friend's proposal to help him save face.