keep your chin up
keep your chin up
Meaning
- be stalwart and courageous in a tough situation
- remain brave and keep on trying
- a confident appearance under emotional stress
- to uphold a jolly temperament instead of disappointments
Example Sentences
- Don’t let the difficulties intimidate you; keep your chin up.
- Even if things have been difficult for you, always keep your chin up, everything will be normal and alright soon.
- Hey, Bob keep your chin up, we’re not lost yet.
- Being a wife of a soldier she kept her chin up when she heard the enemy attack on military camp, where here husband was staying.
- My mom always taught me to keep my chin up in every situation if I want to win.
- Keep you chin up, we shall conquer this difficult time.
- Annabel is very hardworking lady, she faced many seriously bad circumstances in her life, but she had always kept her chin up and now she is a successful and rich lady living happily with her family.
Origin
This idiom is originated in Victorian era, from late 19th to early 20th century in America not in Britain and it has a close relationship with the expression “keep a stiff upper lip”.
The very first written reference appears from an October, 1900 publication of the Pennsylvania newspaper The Evening Democrat: “Keep your chin up. Don’t take your troubles to bed with you – hang them on a chair with your trousers or drop them in a glass of water with your teeth.”
Share your opinions9 Opinions
Lmao, when hanging prisoners the hangman would say to sacred or crying (often always men) keep your chin up, as a small measure of advice to face their sentence like a man, but also when being hung by the neck, if one holds their neck straight and high The chances of a good cleannbreak are highly likely causing instant death rather than slow strangulation.
‒ Spencer Pitts May 14, 2023
“Keep your chin up” means to walk with confidence and pride through the world. It’s directly related to your posture and body language as you face outward to present to observers in passing situations.
Linguistically; it was a natural precedent. If you’re observed walking through your life with your eyes facing downward, people will observe you as weak, subservient, and lacking character.
This idiom evolved naturally through masculine posturing and body language. Take the words literally. Try it yourself, you will notice the difference
‒ Nah December 19, 2021
JohnK had a good comment about those sayings that are cold and of no help. “Suck it up.” and “Man up.” for example. “Keep your chin up.” or “Chin up.” could be thought of as the same unhelpful broadcast. However, when reading about posture and the communication between mind and body, “Keep your chin up.” had relevance.
‒ Tony Higgs November 16, 2021
I disagree with most of these comments, because I have never heard it used, nor would it be sensible to use the phrase to mean “Hey! Suck it up! You’re being a baby!” Language is malleable, and the number one rule of communication is “know your audience”.
Thus, I have always heard the phrase said in a “I have faith in you” kind of way as one might say one of the following to encourage someone: “we’ll get theough this.”/ “this too shall pass.”
It is almost said ironically, as a near admission at how hollow the words alone are, by which the sentiment of belief in the person is magnified.
‒ JohnK March 10, 2021
This phrase had helped me through some difficult times. When my papa died, I kept my chin up.
‒ Happy March 28, 2018
I never have liked that phrase. I never tell anyone that and I don’t need anyone telling me that either.
‒ Joe May 25, 2017
Technically, is not on my most desirable pep talk terms. Thanks for listening.
‒ Nanette Rauth May 21, 2017
We had a dear friend found at the age of 36yrs dead with his chin balanced eveningly on his night table also on his knees. As you know this was a frightening discovery, the phrase “keep your chin up ” May be what. His killer was stating to us through him.
‒ Nanette Rauth May 21, 2017
This idiom inspired me a lot and it’s really good to keep your chin up when things are not okay for you. I would like to add one example: My brother is a brave man, he always keep his chin up.
Kavita
‒ Kavita April 15, 2016