[wainā] (v) EN: save s.o.'s face ; be considerate of s.o.'s dignity ; spare another's feelings ; spare another's reputation ; save s.o. from embarrassment ; refrain from embarrassing s.o.FR: respecter l'amour-propre
(adj) hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment, Syn. sticky, embarrassing, unenviable, Example:awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion; an awkward pause followed his remark; a sticky question; in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign