PhrasesHub

Save one's bacon

    Definitions

      • to save oneself from harm or trouble
        to describe a situation where someone manages to avoid a difficult or dangerous situation

      • to benefit or profit from a situation
        to indicate that someone has managed to come out of a situation with a positive outcome or gain

    Examples of Save one's bacon

    • In the middle of a heated debate in the boardroom, Sarah presented a risky yet innovative idea that could potentially turn the company's fortunes around. Her colleagues were skeptical at first, but they soon realized the merit of her proposal and gave it their full support. "Thanks to Sarah's bold move, we've just saved our bacon there. That could have been a disaster," exclaimed the CEO.

      The phrase "save one's bacon" is used metaphorically to mean "to prevent a disastrous outcome" or "to rescue oneself from a difficult situation". In this example, Sarah's idea helped the company avoid a disastrous outcome, and her colleagues recognized her as a hero for having done so. The expression "saved our bacon" is a colorful and evocative way of describing a situation in which a great risk has been averted.

    • The sales manager's quick thinking saved the company from a devastating loss. He came up with a creative marketing strategy that brought in new clients and saved the company's bacon.

      The idiom "save one's bacon" in this example is used to signify that the sales manager's actions prevented a catastrophic outcome that could have resulted in financial loss for the company. Bacon is often associated with breakfast foods, but in this context, it represents something valuable and desirable that needs to be preserved.

    • When Jane's project was facing significant delays due to unforeseen complications, her boss urged her to think of a solution. Jane suggested a change in the project's approach, which turned out to be a game-changer. Her quick action saved her bacon and earned the appreciation of her boss and colleagues.

      In this scenario, Jane's rescue came in the form of a new strategy, which saved the day. 'Save one's bacon' indicates that Jane's fresh idea prevented a critical situation, which would have otherwise led to unnecessary and undesirable outcomes.

    • As the economy took a hit due to the pandemic, many businesses struggled to stay afloat. A local restaurant, however, came up with a unique idea to offer meal kits to customers to cook at home. This initiative helped the business save its bacon during the turbulent times.

      Here, the idiom is used to indicate that the restaurant's decision to offer meal kits helped the business avoid a potentially disastrous situation. The business was on the verge of losing customers and closing down for good. The restaurant, however, showed remarkable resilience and figured out a way to adapt to the changing circumstances.

    • In the midst of a heated argument, Emily's friend accused her of being insensitive. Emily, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly made amends and apologized. This act saved Emily's bacon, as her friend forgave her and their friendship continued to flourish.

      "Save one's bacon" in this context is used to indicate that Emily's apology helped her avoid a severe and unforeseen outcome, which could have led to the breakdown of her friendship. It signifies the importance of taking swift action to mitigate tense situations before they deteriorate further.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "save one's bacon" is used to describe situations where someone manages to avoid harm or trouble, or benefits from a situation. It can be used to highlight personal success or to emphasize the importance of avoiding negative outcomes.

    Origin of "Save one's bacon"

    The origin of the idiom "save one's bacon" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages. During this time, "bacon" was a valuable and prized food item, and saving it would have been considered a significant accomplishment. Over time, the idiom evolved to represent the idea of saving oneself from harm or trouble. Today, it is commonly used to express relief or success in avoiding a difficult situation. For example, "I thought I was going to miss my flight, but I managed to save my bacon and make it to the airport on time."