Definition

Noun: A facial expression that shows no emotion, especially one that deliberately hides amusement, laughter, surprise, or any other feeling. It is the act of keeping one's face serious and not smiling or laughing, often when something funny or surprising is happening.

Usage

A "straight face" is used to describe the act of maintaining a neutral, serious, or blank expression, typically to conceal one's true feelings or reactions. It is often used in the phrases "keep a straight face" or "with a straight face."

Examples

• He told the most ridiculous joke but managed to keep a straight face the entire time.
• She delivered the outrageous news with a completely straight face, so no one knew if she was joking.
• It was impossible to maintain a straight face when the puppy started chasing its own tail.
• The teacher looked at the student's excuse with a straight face before finally smiling.

Advanced Usage

• "To keep a straight face": This is the most common collocation. It means to succeed in not smiling or laughing.
  • I tried to keep a straight face during the serious meeting, but his comment was too funny.
• "To say/do something with a straight face": This describes performing an action while maintaining a serious expression, often when the action itself is humorous or unbelievable.
  • He said he was an expert astronaut with a straight face.

Variants and Related Words

• Straight-faced (adjective): Having or showing a straight face.
  • He gave a straight-faced answer to the silly question.
• Poker face (noun): A synonym for a deliberately emotionless expression, especially one used to hide one's thoughts, as in the game of poker.
  • She has a great poker face, so you never know what cards she's holding.

Synonyms

• Deadpan (adjective/noun): A deliberately impassive or expressionless manner.
• Impassive (adjective): Not feeling or showing emotion.
• Expressionless (adjective): Lacking expression.

Related Idioms

• "Without cracking a smile": Very similar to "with a straight face," meaning not allowing oneself to smile.
  • He recited the funny poem without cracking a smile.
• "Keep a stiff upper lip": This idiom is related to maintaining composure and not showing emotion in the face of difficulty, which is a broader concept than just the facial expression of a "straight face."
  • Even during the crisis, she kept a stiff upper lip.

Noun

1. a serious facial expression giving no evidence of interest or amusement