Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[save face]{v. phr.} To save your good reputation, popularity, or dignity when something has happened or may happen to hurt you; hide something that may cause you shame. •/The policeman was caught accepting a bribe; he tried to save face by claiming it was money owed to him./ •/Bill would not play in the game because he knew he could not do well and he wanted to save face./ •/The colonel who lost the battle saved face by showing his orders from the general./ Contrast: LOSE FACE. — [face-saver]{n.} •/The shop teacher’s note was a face-saver when another teacher thought John and Bill were playing hookey in town./ — [face-saving]{adj.} •/The note was a face-saving idea./ — [face-saving]{n.} •/Face-saving is not helped by too many invented excuses./

[save for a rainy day] See: RAINY DAY.

[save one’s breath]{v. phr.}, {informal} To keep silent because talking will not help; not talk because it will do no good. •/Save your breath; the boss will never give you the day off./

[save one’s neck] or [save one’s skin]{v. phr.}, {slang} To save from danger or trouble. •/The fighter planes saved our skins while the army was landing from the ships./ •/Betty saved Tim’s neck by typing his report for him; without her help he could not have finished on time./

[save the day]{v. phr.} To bring about victory or success, especially when defeat is likely. •/The forest fire was nearly out of control when suddenly it rained heavily and saved the day./ •/The team was behind, but at the last minute Sam saved the day with a touchdown./

[save up]{v. phr.} To put away for future use; keep as savings; save. •/John was saving up for a new bicycle./ •/Mary saved up pieces of cloth to make a quilt./

[saving grace]{n. phr.} A single good attribute; a redeeming quality. •/Felicity is not very attractive but her intelligence and wit are her saving grace./

[savings account]{n.} An account in a bank, where people put money to save it, and the bank uses the money and pays interest every year. •/If you leave your money in your savings account for six months or a year, the bank will pay interest on it./ Compare: CHECKING ACCOUNT.

[savings bond]{n.} A government certificate given for money and saved for a number of years so that the government will pay back the money with interest. •/Mary bought a $25 savings bond for $18.75./ •/John’s father gave him a savings bond for graduation./

[sawed-off]{adj.}, {informal} Shorter than usual; small of its kind. •/The riot police carried sawed-off shotguns./ •/Jimmy was a sawed-off, skinny runt./

[saw wood] also {southern}[saw gourds]{v. phr.}, {slang} To breathe loudly through the nose while sleeping; snore. •/John was sawing wood./ •/In Alabama a boy who snores saws gourds./

[say] See: DARE SAY, GO WITHOUT SAYING, I’LL SAY, NEVER SAY DIE, NOT TO MENTION or TO SAY NOTHING OF, STRANGE TO SAY, THAT IS or THAT IS TO SAY, YOU DON’T SAY, YOU SAID IT or YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.