putting on a brave face
Hiding inner turmoil
Putting on a brave face means concealing distress, fear, or disappointment behind an appearance of composure or cheerfulness.
The phrase suggests effort—the bravery is performed rather than felt: She put on a brave face at the funeral, but collapsed when she got home.
Sometimes used with criticism implied: the facade prevents honest acknowledgment of difficulty.
- pretendingSimulating what isn't real
- actingTemporarily holding position
- poker faceIntentionally expressionless look
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
perseverance · emotional labor · denial · inner strength · concealment · rationalization · grit · soldier on · compartmentalization · reassurance · composure · masking · holding back tears · stiff upper lip · chin up · suppression · keeping it together · self-soothing
putting on a brave faceemotional honesty
Truthful expression of feelings
wearing one's heart on one's sleeve · baring one's soul · unmasking · unguarded
putting on a brave facebreaking down
Stopping working properly
falling apart · losing it · crumbling · sobbing · bursting into tears
putting on a brave faceasking for help