What does “Keep a straight face” mean?

"Keep a straight face" means to remain serious and not show any emotion or amusement.

What context can I use the in?

Example

During the comedy show, it was hard for him to keep a straight face.

Example

She tried to keep a straight face while her friend told a funny story.

Example

The teacher had to keep a straight face while the students made silly faces

Is “Keep a straight face” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Keep a straight face” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Keep a straight face” effectively in context?

You can use "Keep a Straight Face" to describe the act of remaining serious and not showing any emotion or amusement, especially in situations where it is difficult to do so. For example, if someone tells a joke that you find hilarious but you want to maintain a serious demeanor, you might say, 'I had to keep a straight face when my friend told that funny story.'

1Comedy Show
During the comedy show, it was hard for him to keep a straight face.
2Funny Story
She tried to keep a straight face while her friend told a funny story.
3Classroom
The teacher had to keep a straight face while the students made silly faces.

Similar phrases to “Keep a straight face”:

Hold back laughter

To suppress the urge to laugh

Example

He had to hold back laughter when his friend told a funny joke.

Maintain composure

To remain calm and composed in a challenging or amusing situation

Example

She managed to maintain her composure during the heated argument.

Keep a poker face

To maintain a neutral facial expression, especially in a situation where one might be expected to show emotion

Example

He kept a poker face during the negotiation, not revealing his true thoughts.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Keep a straight face” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Keep a Straight Face" is unknown.

Is “Keep a straight face” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Keep a Straight Face" is a common idiom used in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe the act of remaining serious and not showing any emotion or amusement in various situations.

What tone does “Keep a straight face” have?

"Keep a Straight Face" conveys a tone of seriousness and self-control. It is often used when discussing situations where it is important to maintain a serious demeanor despite finding something amusing.

Can “Keep a straight face” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Keep a Straight Face" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that describes the act of remaining serious and not showing any emotion or amusement. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She struggled to keep a straight face during the meeting.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "keep a straight face"!' to imply the need to remain serious.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

remain serious
suppress laughter
control emotions
stay composed
not crack a smile

Antonyms

crack up
burst into laughter
lose control
show amusement
break into a smile