1grace 
/ˈgreɪs/ noun
plural grac·es /ˈgreɪs/ noun 1 [noncount] : a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward
▪ She walked across the stage with effortless grace. 2 a [noncount] : a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving
▪ She handles her problems with grace and dignity. ▪ He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis. ◊People say you have the (good) grace to do something when they approve of what you do and consider it to be polite and proper.
▪ She has the grace [=she is polite/nice enough] to listen to everyone's complaints. ▪ At least he had the good grace to admit that he was wrong.
b graces [plural] : skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations
▪ She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces. 3 [noncount] a : help or kindness that God gives or shows to people
▪ Let us give thanks for God's grace. ▪ By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt. ◊People use the phrase (there) but for the grace of God (go I) to say that they could be in the same bad situation as someone else.
▪ I saw a homeless person on the street and thought “there but for the grace of God go I.” [=I am lucky not to be homeless also]
b : a state of being pleasing to God
▪ She tried to live her life in God's grace. ▪ He died in a state of grace. [=he died after he asked God to forgive his sins] 4 [noncount] : a short prayer that is said before a meal
▪ They asked her to say grace at dinner. 5 Grace [noncount] — used as a title for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop — used with his, her, or your ▪ His Grace the Duke ▪ Yes, Your Grace.
▪ She walked across the stage with effortless grace.
▪ She handles her problems with grace and dignity. ▪ He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis. ◊People say you have the (good) grace to do something when they approve of what you do and consider it to be polite and proper.
▪ She has the grace [=she is polite/nice enough] to listen to everyone's complaints. ▪ At least he had the good grace to admit that he was wrong.
b graces [plural] : skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations
▪ She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces.
▪ Let us give thanks for God's grace. ▪ By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt. ◊People use the phrase (there) but for the grace of God (go I) to say that they could be in the same bad situation as someone else.
▪ I saw a homeless person on the street and thought “there but for the grace of God go I.” [=I am lucky not to be homeless also]
b : a state of being pleasing to God
▪ She tried to live her life in God's grace. ▪ He died in a state of grace. [=he died after he asked God to forgive his sins]
▪ They asked her to say grace at dinner.
airs and graces — see 1air
fall from grace
◊If you fall from grace or experience a fall from grace, you no longer enjoy the success or good reputation that you once had, usually because you have done something wrong.
▪ The governor fell from grace after being accused of tax fraud. ▪ The book tells of his fall from grace.
▪ The governor fell from grace after being accused of tax fraud. ▪ The book tells of his fall from grace.
in someone's good graces
◊If you are in someone's good graces, that person likes you and has a good opinion of you.
▪ He works late to stay in his boss's good graces.
▪ He works late to stay in his boss's good graces.
with bad/ill grace
: in a way that shows that you are not happy about something : in an unpleasant way
▪ They agreed to the compromise with bad grace.
▪ They agreed to the compromise with bad grace.
with good grace
: in a polite and pleasant way
▪ She accepted his advice with good grace. [=graciously] ▪ They lost the game with good grace.
▪ She accepted his advice with good grace. [=graciously] ▪ They lost the game with good grace.
— see also coup de grâce, saving grace
