keep your chin up

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep your chin up" is a common way to express encouragement or support in written English.
It is often used to motivate or cheer someone up in a difficult situation, as in this example: "I know this has been a tough time for you, but try to stay positive - keep your chin up!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Keep your chin up, you'll be back".

The New York Times

Keep your chin up, and your mouth shut.

The New Yorker

The official escorting her whispered, "Brittney, keep your chin up".

The New York Times

And keep your chin up, or your wattles up, or whatever!

The New Yorker

"Keep your chin up," he told her in a genuinely joyful voice.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep Smiling London and Keep Your Chin Up, says one poster.

The Guardian

Tuck said he urged Ross to "keep your chin up and keep everything in perspective".

The New York Times - Sports

They'd say, 'Keep your chin up,' reassuring him that things would get better.

The Guardian

"My mother kept telling us to keep your chin up," he told The Denver Post last year.

The New York Times

Their strap line is Keep Your Chin Up, and is the foundation of what Jimmy's is all about.

The Guardian

"I didn't want to bother you, I just wanted to say keep your chin up.... Just hang tough, buddy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep your chin up" to offer encouragement during temporary setbacks, not for prolonged grief or trauma, where deeper support is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "keep your chin up" when someone is dealing with long-term or severe challenges. This phrase can minimize their feelings and sound dismissive; instead, offer empathy and support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep your chin up" functions as an idiomatic expression used for encouragement. It's a supportive phrase aimed at boosting morale in adverse situations. Ludwig examples show it's used across media and personal contexts to promote resilience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep your chin up" is a very common and grammatically correct idiom used to encourage positivity during challenging times. As Ludwig AI points out, its primary function is to offer comfort and motivation, predominantly in informal to neutral contexts like news and general conversation. While it is generally appropriate, avoid using it in situations involving long-term grief or trauma, where deeper support is needed. Consider using alternatives like "stay positive" or "hang in there" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chin up

Shortened version of the original phrase, offering a more concise form of encouragement.

stay positive

Focuses on maintaining a positive outlook during difficult times.

don't lose hope

Emphasizes maintaining hope even when facing adversity.

hang in there

Suggests enduring a difficult situation with resilience.

look on the bright side

Encourages focusing on the positive aspects of a situation.

hold your head high

Encourages maintaining pride and dignity, even in difficult circumstances.

keep a stiff upper lip

Suggests maintaining composure and emotional control in the face of adversity, often with a British connotation.

stay strong

Highlights the importance of maintaining emotional and mental strength.

never give up

Emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination.

things will get better

Offers reassurance that the current difficult situation is temporary.

FAQs

How to use "keep your chin up" in a sentence?

You can use "keep your chin up" to encourage someone facing a temporary setback. For example, "I know you didn't get the job, but "keep your chin up"; something better will come along."

What does "keep your chin up" mean?

The phrase "keep your chin up" means to stay positive and optimistic, even in a difficult situation. It's a way of encouraging someone to maintain a good attitude despite challenges.

What can I say instead of "keep your chin up"?

You can use alternatives like "stay positive", "hang in there", or "don't lose hope" depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to say "keep your chin up"?

It's generally inappropriate to say "keep your chin up" when someone is dealing with a serious or prolonged hardship, such as grief, trauma, or a severe illness. In these situations, offering empathy and support is more appropriate.