maintain a smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain a smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to keep a positive expression or demeanor, especially in challenging situations. Example: "Even during tough times, it's important to maintain a smile to uplift your spirits and those around you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Clinton, doing her best to maintain a smile, said, "That's not a view I will ascribe to".

The New Yorker

"Y'all ain't never seen no gangsters before?" Pill asked the mute crowd the following night at S.O.B.'s, trying his best to maintain a smile on his face.

The New York Times - Arts

Finding himself without a seat at the BBC table thanks to an organisational cock-up, when he finally found somewhere to sit he managed to maintain a smile as he slowly introduced himself to a table full of hacks.

The Guardian

I'd find myself sitting in a car right before a meeting, fighting back tears and telling myself to "Suck it up, suck it in," a phrase my mother and I say when we're trying to deal with a problem and maintain a smile.

The New York Times

It's unfair for families to hold back living their lives so we pretend to maintain a smile while observing from afar.

Huffington Post

They have to stay up to date on every subject, adhere to administration's requests, teach concepts, teach the "whole child," engage critical thinking and maintain a smile and sense of humor.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In private, Blunkett expresses helpless dismay - but Woodhead has Blair's favour, and so Blunkett has been obliged to accommodate the chief inspector's power, and maintain a smiling face of public approval on all that Woodhead does.

The Guardian

It is one of the reasons he identifies with SpongeBob SquarePants, a character who maintains a smile despite being picked on.

The New York Times - Sports

"The girls are wonderful role models for Australia's younger generation; in the way we go about our business, play, the way we carry ourselves, balance the demands of elite sport and our lives outside netball, all while maintaining a smile on the face and being genuine people," Geitz tells Guardian Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

He maintained a smile during a conversation with reporters.

Los Angeles Times

Maintaining a smile for 48 hours is not the only physical labour Jen puts into Miss England: the girls are put through an assault course for the Miss Sportswoman sub-competition.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone who is trying to hide their true feelings, "maintain a smile" can add a layer of complexity to their character.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain a smile" when it's clear the person's smile is genuine and reflects their true feelings. Using it in such cases can imply insincerity where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain a smile" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where 'maintain' acts as the main verb and 'a smile' is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain a smile" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe the act of consciously keeping a positive facial expression, often in the face of adversity or to mask underlying feelings. While not exceedingly common, it's found in various reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Its register is generally neutral, fitting for diverse contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential implication of insincerity if applied to genuine smiles. Alternatives such as "keep a smile" or "hold a smile" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep a smile

Replaces "maintain" with "keep", emphasizing the act of holding a smile.

hold a smile

Uses "hold" instead of "maintain", suggesting an effort to sustain the smile.

wear a smile

Substitutes "maintain" with "wear", focusing on the visible aspect of having a smile.

sport a smile

Similar to "wear a smile" but slightly more informal.

preserve a smile

Implies an active effort to protect or prolong the smile.

sustain a smile

Highlights the continuous effort needed to keep the smile.

manage a smile

Suggests some difficulty in maintaining the smile, implying underlying stress or effort.

force a smile

Emphasizes that the smile is not genuine and requires significant effort.

keep smiling

Focuses on the continuous action of smiling, rather than maintaining a specific expression.

put on a smile

Highlights the act of deliberately creating a smile, which might not be genuine.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "maintain a smile"?

You can use alternatives like "keep a smile", "hold a smile", or "wear a smile" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "maintain a smile"?

It's suitable when someone is consciously trying to remain cheerful, especially during difficult situations, or when they are attempting to hide their true feelings.

What's the difference between "maintain a smile" and "force a smile"?

"Maintain a smile" implies a sustained effort to appear cheerful, while "force a smile" suggests the smile is insincere and requires significant effort due to underlying negative emotions.

Is "maintain a smile" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might exist depending on the specific situation.