keep a straight face

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep a straight face' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe someone's ability to remain expressionless so that no emotion can be seen on their face. Example: He attempted to tell the joke, but his friends couldn't help but laugh - he did his best to keep a straight face.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Westbrook could not keep a straight face.

The New York Times - Sports

"and must therefore keep a straight face.

The New York Times - Books

Harry Belafonte can't keep a straight face.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The idea was to keep a straight face.

The New York Times

It's tough just to keep a straight face".

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to keep a straight face writing about puppies.

The New York Times - Books

I struggle to keep a straight face at this point.

Independent

But honestly, I could hardly keep a straight face.

The New Yorker

Hard to do so, anyway, and keep a straight face.

The Guardian - Sport

But he couldn't quite keep a straight face.

The New Yorker

It's all Tanner can do to keep a straight face.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep a straight face" when describing a deliberate effort to hide amusement, surprise, or other emotions that would be inappropriate to display in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "keep a straight face" when the situation calls for genuine empathy or shared emotion. For instance, in a serious discussion, attempting to "keep a straight face" might be perceived as insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep a straight face" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. It describes the action of maintaining a neutral facial expression to conceal one's true emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

20%

Reference

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep a straight face" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of maintaining a neutral facial expression to conceal one's true emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is important to consider the context in which it is used to avoid insensitivity. Related phrases include "maintain composure", "remain poker-faced", and "suppress a smile", offering nuanced alternatives for specific situations. Remember to use "keep a straight face" when appropriate, and to be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation in emotionally charged situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not crack a smile

Means to not smile at all, to remain serious.

remain poker-faced

Emphasizes a blank, unreadable expression, similar to a poker player.

maintain composure

Focuses more on overall self-control, rather than specifically facial expression.

suppress a smile

Specifically refers to holding back a smile, indicating slight amusement.

hold back laughter

Focuses on the effort required to prevent oneself from laughing.

hide amusement

Highlights the act of concealing one's amusement or laughter.

refrain from laughing

Highlights the act of intentionally avoiding laughter.

control one's laughter

Focuses on preventing oneself from laughing.

mask one's reaction

General expression that covers all kind of reactions, not only laughter.

stifle a giggle

Refers to suppressing a quiet, nervous laugh.

FAQs

How can I use "keep a straight face" in a sentence?

You can use "keep a straight face" to describe someone's ability to hide their emotions. For example, "It was hard to "keep a straight face" when he told the ridiculous joke."

What does it mean to "keep a straight face"?

To "keep a straight face" means to maintain a serious or neutral facial expression, especially when one is tempted to laugh or show some other emotion.

Is it always good to "keep a straight face"?

No, there are situations when suppressing emotions is not appropriate. "Keeping a straight face" might be perceived negatively if empathy or emotional expression is expected.

What can I say instead of "keep a straight face"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain composure", "remain poker-faced", or "suppress a smile" depending on the context.