keep one's chin up

Remain hopeful regardless

Keep one's chin up is an expression of encouragement urging someone to stay positive and maintain confidence despite difficulties or setbacks.

The image evokes good posture—head held high rather than drooping in defeat or despair.

It's typically offered as advice or reassurance: Keep your chin up—things will get better soon.

The phrase often appears in contexts of consolation, suggesting resilience in the face of disappointment or hardship.

Related

courage · stay strong · hope · inner strength · motivation · fortitude · reframing · perseverance · tough it out · grit · determination · reassurance · solidarity · cheerfulness · brave face · stiff upper lip · problem-solving · neck

Opposites
emotional resilience and attitude toward adversity

keep one's chin uplose heart

Become discouraged or demoralized

despair · give up · throw in the towel · hang one's head · fall apart

physical/metaphorical posture of spirit

keep one's chin uphang one's head

Display visible shame

droop · slouch · look down · cower · shrink

Family

keep, keeps, keeping, keeper, keepers, ones, chin, chins, chinned

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G