saving grace
/ˈseɪ.vɪŋ ɡreɪs/
Meaning
A redeeming quality or feature that makes an otherwise bad, difficult, or unpleasant person, thing, or situation acceptable or tolerable.
Examples
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The apartment was small and dark, but its saving grace was the beautiful balcony overlooking the park.
The apartment was small and dark, but its saving grace was the beautiful balcony overlooking the park.
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The movie had a terrible plot, but the lead actor's brilliant performance was its saving grace.
The movie had a terrible plot, but the lead actor's brilliant performance was its saving grace.
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It was a stressful flight, but the saving grace was that we landed thirty minutes ahead of schedule.
It was a stressful flight, but the saving grace was that we landed thirty minutes ahead of schedule.
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Her saving grace is her incredible sense of humor, which makes everyone forget her occasional rudeness.
Her saving grace is her incredible sense of humor, which makes everyone forget her occasional rudeness.
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The weather was awful during our vacation, but our cozy hotel was our saving grace.
The weather was awful during our vacation, but our cozy hotel was our saving grace.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The saving grace of the perfect party was the delicious cake.
✓ The saving grace of the disastrous party was the delicious cake.
'Saving grace' is only used when the overall situation is bad or flawed. If a party is already perfect, it doesn't need a 'saving' feature.
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✗ He has a lot of saving graces that make him a great friend.
✓ His saving grace is his loyalty, which makes him a great friend.
'Saving grace' is typically singular because it refers to the one redeeming feature that rescues a bad situation or character.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The service at the restaurant was terrible, but the delicious food was its ___ ___.
💡 The one good thing that rescued the experience
Show answer
saving grace
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Her only ___ ___ is that she always tells the truth, even when it's hard.
💡 A redeeming feature
Show answer
saving grace