save one's neck
Dodge serious trouble
To save one's neck is to escape danger, punishment, or serious trouble, often by quick thinking or desperate action.
The neck evokes execution—hanging or beheading—so saving it means preserving one's life or livelihood: He lied to save his neck.
The phrase often implies self-preservation at others' expense.
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
- escapeFlight from captivity
- gallowsExecution hanging apparatus
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- mitigateMake less severe
circumvent · justify · shield · manipulate · excuse · flee · cut and run · defend · think fast · close call · choke · narrow escape · skin of teeth · by a hair · hide · tight spot · anticipate · self-preservation
save one's neckface the music
Accept deserved consequences
take the fall · pay the piper · take one's lumps · own up · take responsibility
save one's necklay down one's life
Die to save others
risk one's neck · stick one's neck out · fall on one's sword · take one for the team
save, saved, saving, saves, saver, savior, saviour, salvation, ones