put a brave face on
Mask one's distress
To put a brave face on something is to act composed or cheerful despite difficulty, disappointment, or distress.
The phrase suggests concealing negative feelings behind a show of courage or optimism: She put a brave face on the rejection, but I could tell she was devastated.
Sometimes shortened to put on a brave face.
- dissembleConceal one's motives
- feignPretend to have
- stoicUncomplaining endurer of hardship
- stiff upper lipControlled emotional restraint
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
put on a front · grin and bear it · bite the bullet · tough it out · keep a stiff upper lip · emotional labor · mask · composure · impression management · concealment · undaunted · maintain appearances · courage · rise above · keep your chin up · soldier on · hold it together · resilient
put a brave face onwear one's heart on one's sleeve
Express feelings openly, visibly
let it all out · be authentic · bare one's soul · pour one's heart out · fall apart
put a brave face onfall to pieces
Fragment completely, lose cohesion
break down · fall apart · have a meltdown · go to pieces · crumble
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