Keep a Straight Face, To
Definition: Do not burst out laughing; look appropriately serious. This cliché is of fairly recent vintage. Henry Miller used the term in Plexus (1953): “All I felt called upon to do was keep a straight face and pretend that everything was kosher.”
Synonyms:
- Maintain a deadpan expression
- Mask emotions
- Keep a poker face
Antonyms:
- Burst out laughing
- Crack a smile
- Lose it
Related Terms:
- Poker face
- Stone-faced
- Stiff upper lip
- Hold one’s tongue
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “Keeping a straight face is no joke; sometimes your cheeks just want to have a laugh!” — Chuckles McGuffin
- “A straight face: Nature’s way of playing poker with humor.” — Laughlin Siegel
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “A man’s face is the picture of his mind with his eyes as its interpreter.” — Cicero
- “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” — Victor Borge
Literature Recommendations:
- Plexus by Henry Miller
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Songs:
- “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
- “Straight Ahead” by Tube & Berger
Movies:
- Meet the Parents (2000)
- Airplane! (1980)
- The Pink Panther series with Peter Sellers
Quizzes
### Which of these phrases means to keep from showing emotions?
- [x] Keep a straight face
- [ ] Grow a beard in winter
- [ ] Counting beans
- [ ] Walking on bluegrass
> **Explanation:** "Keep a straight face" means to not show emotion, especially to avoid laughing. The other options are just quirky and fun!
### True or False: Keeping a straight face often involves humor.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! Keeping a straight face is often necessary in humorous contexts where suppressing laughter is key.
### What's the opposite of keeping a straight face?
- [ ] Keeping a gauche face
- [ ] Hunting for trouble
- [ ] Masking emotions
- [x] Bursting out laughing
> **Explanation:** Bursting out laughing is the clear opposite of maintaining a flat or serious demeanor required when you keep a straight face.
### Which activity might you need to keep a straight face most?
- [x] Telling a joke without laughing
- [ ] Eating ice cream alone
- [ ] Playing tag with toddlers
- [ ] Sleeping under the stars
> **Explanation:** Telling a joke without laughing demands you keep a straight face, making the humor more impactful!
Inspirational Thought: “Faces are like works of art; they reveal stories, display creativity, and conceal layers upon layers of meaning. Hold a straight face when needed, but don’t forget that even a canvas needs bright colors from time to time.” — Joy Teller, October 2023
