The team tried to save the furniture after the bad news.
save the furniture
idiomTo salvage something positive from a calamitous situation, especially one involving the reputation or fate of a political party.
Origin
disputed originAn allusion to rapidly removing as much furniture as possible from a building threatened by fire, flood, or a similar disaster. Compare French sauver les meubles.
After the scandal broke, the party leader worked hard to save the furniture before the next election.
Despite the catastrophic loss of public support, the campaign manager scrambled to save the furniture by distancing the candidate from the failed policy.
- 01
move furniture
To engage someone physically; to brawl.
- 02
save by the bell
To rescue or favorably assist (someone) by means of a timely interruption or the sudden termination of difficult circumstances.
- 03
save face
To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honour.
- 04
save for a rainy day
To keep some money back for possible expensive problems in the future.
- 05
save it
Do not bother with the explanation that you are about to give; be quiet.
- 06
save one's breath
To refrain from speech; to be quiet, especially where it would have no useful effect to speak.
- 07
save one's strength
To avoid waste one's energy or efforts.
- 08
save someone's face
to preserve someone's pride, especially as defined by customary social settings.