Meaning of save someone's bacon | Babel Free

Definitions

To rescue a person from a bad situation, especially one that is life-threatening.

slang

Examples

“My lawyer got my first DUI expunged and reversed the second one. As a result⟳, when I got my third DUI, legally I was a first offender, and instead of jail I got probation. That lawyer really saved my bacon.”

“[A]n anxious eye had been kept on the pinnace and the vessel she was chasing. "She's up to her," cried Desmond, who was looking through his glass; "she struck without a blow⟳, and there go our fellows tumbling on board⟳. Little doubt⟳, however, about her being a slaver, though, as they must have⟳ seen the way in which we got hold⟳ of this craft, they thought it as well to save⟳ their bacon, and make⟳ the best of a bad job."”

“[T]he tide being fortunately in our favour, we reached the Saint Vincent in good time, going up the accommodation ladder on the port side, which, as you know⟳, is devoted to the use⟳ of the lower deck portion of the crew, just as Eight Bells struck. "Ha, my lads," cried the Jaunty, who stood by the entry-port, "you've just saved your bacon!"”

CEFR level