Maintains one's dignity

SAVESFACE

["Think about what you might do to preserve your reputation after a embarrassing situation."]

The clue "Maintains one's dignity" leads to the answer "SAVESFACE" through a straightforward interpretation of the phrase. "Saving face" is an idiom that means preserving one's dignity, reputation, or respect, especially after a humiliating or defeating situation. Therefore, the clue directly points to this idiom, which is the answer to the crossword puzzle. There's no complex wordplay or pun involved; it's a direct cultural reference to the common English idiom.