save the furniture

Definitions

To salvage something positive from a calamitous situation, especially one involving the reputation or fate of a political party.

Australia, Canada, UK, idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“[S]winging progressives were keen to consolidate the diving Labor vote⟳ and save⟳ the furniture so that a reasonably-sized progressive opposition party could live⟳ to fight⟳ another day.”

“A week after a headline in a Montreal newspaper suggested the NDP Leader’s numbers are so low it is time to “save⟳ the furniture,” he is still battling aggressively.”

“In other words, the PLP could unite⟳ behind an experienced figure⟳ who would take⟳ them to a dignified defeat⟳ but would save⟳ the furniture.”

CEFR level