Table of Contents
Where does the phrase stiff upper lip come from?
The expression keep a stiff upper lip was popularized by the novel Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse and published in 1963. Interestingly, the idiom keep a stiff upper lip originated as an American way to describe staying resolute without giving way to emotion.
How do you use stiff upper lip in a sentence?
Example Sentences It is hard to keep a stiff upper lip when everything is simply falling apart. When John saw his poor performance in the exams, he kept a stiff upper lip. After being scolded by her parents in front of all her friends, Lucy struggled to keep a stiff upper lip.
What is British stoicism?
The British are often stereotyped as being reserved, repressed and understated (Credit: Simon Kirwan/Getty Images) Stoicism, which has its roots in Ancient Greece, originated as a philosophy of understanding pain and hardship and being able to deal with them without complaint.
What does stiff upper lip mean UK?
remaining resolute and unemotional
The phrase is most commonly heard as part of the idiom “keep a stiff upper lip”, and has traditionally been used to describe an attribute of British people in remaining resolute and unemotional when faced with adversity. A sign of fear is trembling of the upper lip, hence the saying keep a “stiff” upper lip.
What does keep an upper lip mean?
Show courage in the face of pain or adversity. For example, I know you’re upset about losing the game, but keep a stiff upper lip. This expression presumably alludes to the trembling lips that precede bursting into tears. [
Why do Brits have a stiff upper lip?
The expression “stiff upper lip” refers to the emotionally stunted way in which Brits suppress their true upset, anger or hurt in times of crisis. We supposedly keep a national stiff upper lip during wars and other countrywide catastrophes, and on a personal level whenever things are not going well.
Is a stiff upper lip good?
A person who is said to have a stiff upper lip displays fortitude and stoicism in the face of adversity, or exercises great self-restraint in the expression of emotion.
What is the meaning of upper lip?
Your upper lip is the part of your face between your mouth and your nose. The beginnings of a moustache showed on his upper lip. 2. countable noun. Your upper lip is the higher of your two lips.
What is upper lip called?
The philtrum is the midline groove in the upper lip that runs from the top of the lip to the nose.
Are Brits depressed?
British people are among the most depressed people in the Western world, according to new data. The rankings from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) place the UK in joint seventh place for adults reporting they have depression out of 25 countries from across Europe and Scandinavia.
What is the meaning of idiom tickled pink?
very happy or amused
Definition of tickled pink informal. : very happy or amused I was tickled pink to see her.
What does the idiom yellow streak mean?
a cowardly or weak trait
yellow streak. noun. informal a cowardly or weak trait, characteristic, or flaw in a person’s nature.
What is the meaning of idiom GREY matter?
Brains, intellect
gray matter. Brains, intellect, as in If you’d only use your gray matter, you’d see the answer in a minute. This expression refers to actual brain tissue that is gray in color. Agatha Christie’s fictional detective, Hercule Poirot, constantly alludes to using the little gray cells for solving a crime. [ Late 1800s]
Why do we say keep a stiff upper lip?
When someone gets upset, his or her lips might tremble. If you keep a stiff upper lip, you’re trying not to show you are upset. This expression dates back to the 1800s, but it is still used today. “Keep your chin up” has a similar meaning.
Where does the saying ‘Stiff Upper Lip’ originate?
keep a stiff upper lip, to Do not give way to adversity; appear to be resolute and stoical without showing your true feelings. This term comes from America in the early 1800s and presumably refers to a trembling lip, which betrays that one is about to burst into tears.
What does “stiff upper lip” mean?
“stiff upper lip” in English. See all translations. stiff upper lip noun [ C usually singular ] uk /ˌstɪf ˌʌp.ə ˈlɪp/ us /ˌstɪf ˌʌp.ɚ ˈlɪp/. › Someone who has a stiff upper lip does not show their feelings when they are upset: He was taught to keep a stiff upper lip, whatever happens.
What does the idiom stiff upper lip mean?
The phrase is most commonly heard as part of the idiom “keep a stiff upper lip”, and has traditionally been used to describe an attribute of British people in remaining resolute and unemotional when faced with adversity. A sign of fear is trembling of the upper lip, hence the saying keep a “stiff” upper lip.