Just saving the tide, and putting in a stock of merit.
Swift.
To save appearances, to preserve a decent outside; to avoid exposure of
a discreditable state of things.
Syn. -- To preserve; rescue; deliver; protect; spare; reserve; prevent.
Save, v. i. To avoid unnecessary expense or expenditure; to prevent
waste; to be economical.
Brass ordnance saveth in the quantity of the material.
Bacon.
Save, prep. or conj. [F. sauf, properly adj., safe. See Safe, a.]
Except; excepting; not including; leaving out; deducting; reserving;
saving.
Five times received I forty stripes save one.