stiff upper lips
Resolute facial control
Stiff upper lips is the plural of stiff upper lip, the British ideal of maintaining composure under pressure.
The phrase comes from the physical act of suppressing emotion—a trembling lip betrays distress, so keeping it stiff signals self-control.
The family kept stiff upper lips throughout the funeral.
The expression often carries ironic undertones about emotional repression.
- composureEmotional self-control
- keep calmRemain emotionally steady
- carry onContinue doing something
- unflappabilityCalm despite turmoil
- aplombSelf-assured composure
steady nerves · fortitude · equanimity · stoicism · reserve · British reserve · dignity · self-control · self-possession · poise · poker face · grit · calmness · courage · chin up · mental toughness · inner strength · coolness
stiff upper lipswearing one's heart on one's sleeve
Displaying emotions openly
sobbing · wailing · hysterics · meltdowns · blubbering
stiff upper lipsvulnerability
Openness to harm
expressiveness · emotional availability · oversharing · sentimentality · touchiness
stiff, upper, lips, stiffen, stiffened, stiffening, stiffens, stiffly, stiffness