save someone's skin
Pull from danger
To save someone's skin is to rescue them from danger, punishment, or serious trouble.
The phrase emphasizes self-preservation or the rescue of another from dire consequences: Her quick thinking saved his skin when the boss started asking questions.
Often appears as save one's own skin, suggesting self-interested escape from accountability.
bail out
Rescue from trouble
come to the rescue · retrieve · cover for · vouch for · stick up for · back up · protect · shield · defend · intervene
escape
Flight from captivity
dodge · slip away · get away · survival instinct · bolt · scramble · skedaddle · vanish · disappear · hide
save someone's skinleave someone high and dry
Abandon in difficulty
cut someone loose · abandon · leave in the lurch · leave someone in the lurch · desert
save someone's skinthrow under the bus
Betray for self-preservation
hang out to dry · endanger · imperil · seal someone's fate · doom
save someone's skinbetray
Violate a trust
stab in the back · double-cross · sell down the river · turn on · give up
save, saves, saving, savers, savior, saviour, salvation, someone, some