Stiff upper lip

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Stiff upper lip

To keep a stiff upper lip means to stay strong and not show your emotions, especially during hard times.
Examples:

1- When his childhood home was destroyed in the storm, he stayed quiet, composed. He was trying to keep a stiff upper lip.

2- At the funeral, she held everyone’s hand and stayed strong. But later she admitted that keeping a stiff upper lip had drained her

Transcript

Hello and welcome back to Daily English! Today’s expression is “stiff upper lip.”
 Let’s say it together — stiff upper lip.

Can you guess what it means from these clues? Imagine a boy at the airport, saying goodbye to his parents before flying alone for the first time. He’s scared, but he doesn’t cry. He gives a brave smile, lifts his chin, and walks through the gate. He’s keeping a stiff upper lip.

Or picture someone who just lost their job. They thank their boss politely, walk out calmly, and only later—alone—do they let the tears fall. That’s someone showing a stiff upper lip.

 So, what does “a stiff upper lip” mean? To keep a stiff upper lip means to stay strong and not show your emotions, especially during hard times.
 It’s about holding back tears, hiding fear, and appearing calm—even when your heart is breaking. This expression comes from old British culture, where emotional control was seen as a kind of strength.

 Examples:“She didn’t complain during the long treatment. She kept a stiff upper lip through it all.”
“When his childhood home was destroyed in the storm, he stayed quiet, composed. He was trying to keep a stiff upper lip.”
“At the funeral, she held everyone’s hand and stayed strong. But later she admitted that keeping a stiff upper lip had drained her.”

 Pop culture note:  Even Eminem used this phrase in his emotional song Mockingbird, where he sings to his daughter:
“Stiffen up that upper lip, little lady.”
He’s telling her: Be strong, even though everything’s falling apart.
 That line? That’s exactly what keeping a stiff upper lip means — staying brave when it matters most.

Your Turn!  Have you ever had to keep a stiff upper lip?
 Did you do it for yourself… or for someone you love?