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- keep a stiff upper lip
keep a stiff upper lip
Keep a stiff upper lip.
Prov. Act as though you are not upset.; Do not let unpleasant things upset you. (English people are stereotypically supposed to be very good at keeping a stiff upper lip.) Even though he was only three years old, Jonathan kept a stiff upper lip the whole time he was in the hospital recovering from his surgery. Jill: Sometimes this job frustrates me so much I could just break down in tears. Jane: Keep a stiff upper lip. Things are bound to improve.
keep a stiff upper lip
Show courage in the face of pain or adversity. For example, I know you're upset about losing the game, but keep a stiff upper lip. This expression presumably alludes to the trembling lips that precede bursting into tears. [Early 1800s]
keep a stiff upper lip
To be courageous or stoic in the face of adversity.
Common Names:
Name | Gender | Pronounced | Usage |
KatrĖ | | - | Lithuanian |
Jeremy | | ['dʒerimi] | |
Romaine | | ro-MEN (French), ro-MAYN (English) | French, English |
Cindy | | ['sindi] | |
Connor | | KAHN-ər (English) | Irish, English (Modern) |
Ian | | [iən] | |