Example: Il a toujours su sauver les apparences malgré les difficultés.
Definition
"Sauver les apparences" means to maintain an outward appearance of normality, success, or propriety despite underlying difficulties or problems. It involves acting in a way that conceals real issues to avoid social judgment or embarrassment.
Translations
To save appearances
Guardar las apariencias
De schijn ophouden
Salvar les aparences
Den Schein wahren
Etymology
The phrase "sauver les apparences" comes from French, where 'sauver' means to save or rescue, and 'apparences' refers to appearances or outward looks. It literally means 'to save the appearances,' reflecting the idea of preserving a facade. Did you know this expression highlights the human tendency to protect one's image, even when things are not as they seem inside?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Sauver les apparences" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
Would you like to not only understand these expressions, but also remember them and use them actively? Create a free account and select French as the language you want to learn.
To save appearances