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keep a straight face

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keep a straight face

to avoid showing any emotion, esp. amusement I thought it would be funny to tell him he failed the course, but it was hard to keep a straight face when I was talking to him.

See also: face, keep, straight

keep a straight face

to look serious and not laugh, although you are in a funny situation or are saying something funny or stupid I can never play jokes on people because I can't keep a straight face.

See also: face, keep, straight

keep a straight face

Don't show one's feelings, especially refrain from laughing. For example, The school orchestra played so many wrong notes that I had trouble keeping a straight face . [Late 1800s]

See also: face, keep, straight