put on a mask

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on a mask" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the literal meaning of putting a mask on your face, such as a surgical mask or a protective face covering, or in a figurative sense, when you want to convey the idea of hiding something or avoiding a certain situation. Example: She felt anxious and uncomfortable, so she put on a mask of indifference to hide her true feelings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At five hundred feet, the air became warmer, denser; one of the men put on a mask to keep out the dust that floated through the shaft.

The New Yorker

By now you have put on a mask (wash it off in shower), taken a shower and styled your hair.

WikiHow

Constantly one had to make a decision, put on a mask, and that was courage.

The New Yorker

I see now that they also had to put on a mask, to pretend, to hope that no one asked deeper questions.

Huffington Post

In response, she put on a mask of persona: toughness.

Harvard Business Review

Also, I moisturize my skin and put on a mask.

The New York Times - Travel

None had even bothered to put on a mask.

The Washington Post

The teacher asks them to put on a mask which shows NO feeling.

Yale University

"I put on a mask and gloves and started going through our garbage," she said.

The New York Times

You say workers often feel like they put on a mask to do their jobs.

The Washington Post

She added, "At the end of the day, most people gotta put on a mask.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put on a mask" figuratively, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean emotional concealment or preparation for a challenging situation. For instance, "She had to put on a mask of confidence before the presentation."

Common error

Avoid using "put on a mask" in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as the literal act of wearing a physical mask, especially if the intention is to convey emotional concealment. Instead, use more precise language like "hide their emotions" or "present a false front."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on a mask" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It can describe the literal act of wearing a mask or, more commonly, the figurative act of concealing one's true feelings or intentions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put on a mask" is a versatile expression with both literal and figurative meanings. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically sound and commonly used to describe either physically wearing a mask or, more often, concealing one's true emotions or intentions. Its prevalence in News & Media suggests it's a relevant phrase for describing various social and personal dynamics. While generally neutral in tone, contexts involving deception or emotional shielding are frequent. Remember that while useful, consider alternatives if clarity is crucial to differentiate between the literal and figurative use. Be smart about it and your writing will become way better and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

don a disguise

Emphasizes altering one's appearance to conceal identity.

wear a facade

Highlights presenting a deceptive outward appearance.

assume a guise

Implies adopting a temporary or false identity or role.

put up a front

Focuses on creating a deceptive appearance to hide one's true feelings or situation.

conceal one's emotions

Specifically refers to hiding feelings, which is one aspect of "putting on a mask".

hide one's true self

Refers to covering one's authentic personality or identity.

play a role

Implies acting in a way that is not genuine.

prepare oneself

Focuses on getting ready, which may involve wearing a literal or figurative mask.

cover up

Suggests concealing something, whether physical or emotional.

shield oneself

Implies protecting oneself, which may involve hiding behind a "mask".

FAQs

How can I use "put on a mask" in a sentence?

You can use "put on a mask" literally, like "The surgeon had to put on a mask before entering the operating room", or figuratively, such as "He had to put on a mask of bravery, even though he was terrified".

What is another way to say "put on a mask"?

Alternatives to "put on a mask" include "wear a facade", "assume a guise", or "hide one's true self", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put on a mask" in a formal context?

Yes, "put on a mask" is acceptable in formal contexts. However, consider whether a more precise phrase like "conceal one's emotions" might be more appropriate for clarity.

What's the difference between "put on a mask" and "put up a front"?

"Put on a mask" can refer to both literal and figurative uses, while ""put up a front"" typically implies creating a deliberately deceptive appearance to hide one's true feelings or situation.