Countenance economising and avoiding climb-down (4-6)

I believe the answer is:

face-saving

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'avoiding climb-down' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'countenance economising' is the wordplay.
'countenance' becomes 'face' (I've seen this before).
'economising' becomes 'saving' (saving is a kind of economising).
'face'+'saving'='FACE-SAVING'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for face-saving that I've seen is " Maintaining dignity".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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