留面子

留面子

Literally means:

save someone's face

Actually means:

show respect for someone's sensibilities

面子 refers to feelings or sensibilities.

The phrase means considering someone's sensibilities or saving his face so that he will not appear too embarrassed. It often indicates not directly criticizing someone or disclosing the fact for some reason.

面子，情面。

留面子，留情面，看在情面上不让人太难堪或太尴尬。多指因某种因素而没有直接批评或把事情真相揭出来。