puts on a brave face
Hides inner turmoil
To put on a brave face is to appear calm, cheerful, or confident despite feeling anxious, sad, or afraid—concealing inner distress behind a composed exterior.
She put on a brave face for the children, though she was terrified.
The phrase implies effort and performance rather than genuine courage.
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- soldier onContinue despite difficulty
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
holding back tears · composure · vulnerability · anxiety · fear · white knuckle · suppression · perseverance · concealment · determination · sadness · hope · stiff upper lip · chin up · bravado · grit · optimism · reassurance
puts on a brave facewears one's heart on one's sleeve
Displays feelings without concealment
falls apart · breaks down · bares one's soul · pours one's heart out · crumbles
puts on a brave facefalls to pieces
Breaks into fragments
crumbles · breaks down · goes to pieces · loses it · freaks out
puts on a brave facecowers
Shrinks from fear
panics · trembles · freezes up · goes to pieces · flinches
puts, putting, brave, braver, bravest, bravely, bravery, braved, braving