saving grace

noun

: a redeeming quality or factor

Examples of saving grace in a Sentence

It's expensive, but the machine's saving grace is its ease of operation. One of her saving graces is a good sense of humor.
Recent Examples on the Web Economists fear a lack of hiring could push that figure higher, but cutting the key interest rate — which the Fed is considering for next month — could be a saving grace. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024 Listen to this article For newcomers Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, a trade to the Knicks was a saving grace. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2024 But the personal relationship between Biden and Xi, two very different men, may prove a saving grace in the year ahead. Danny Russel, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2021 However, there is a saving grace for travelers who encounter the unexpected: travel insurance. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for saving grace 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'saving grace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of saving grace was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near saving grace

Cite this Entry

“Saving grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saving%20grace. Accessed 9 Sep. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!