straight face

straight face
*a straight face
Fig. a face free from smiles or laughter. (*Typically: have \straight face; keep \straight face.) •

It's hard to keep a straight face when someone tells a funny joke.

* * *
{n.} A face that is not laughing or smiling. * /Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh, but Joan kept a straight face./ * /It is hard to tell when Jim is teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face./ * /When Bob fell into the water, he looked funny and I could hardly keep a straight face./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • straight face — If someone keeps a straight face, they remain serious and do not show emotion or amusement …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • straight face — straight′ face′ n. an impassive facial expression that conceals one s true feelings, esp. a desire to laugh • Etymology: 1890–95 straight′ faced′, adj. straight′ fac′ed•ly, adv …   From formal English to slang

  • straight face — n. a facial expression showing no amusement or other emotion straight faced adj …   English World dictionary

  • straight face — noun a serious facial expression giving no evidence of interest or amusement (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: ↑facial expression, ↑facial gesture * * * noun : a face giving no evidence of emotion and especially of merriment • straight faced ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷… …   Useful english dictionary

  • straight face — {n.} A face that is not laughing or smiling. * /Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh, but Joan kept a straight face./ * /It is hard to tell when Jim is teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face./ * /When… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • straight face — if someone has a straight face, they look serious even though they are saying something funny or are in a funny situation with a straight face: He could never tell a joke with a straight face. keep a straight face: She couldn t trust herself to… …   English dictionary

  • straight\ face — noun A face that is not laughing or smiling. Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh, but Joan kept a straight face. It is hard to tell when Jim is teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face. When Bob fell into …   Словарь американских идиом

  • straight face — noun Date: 1853 a face giving no evidence of emotion and especially of merriment < lied with a straight face > • straight faced adjective • straight facedly adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • straight face —    If you keep a straight face, you look serious although you really want to laugh.     Our teacher was dressed so strangely that it was hard to keep a straight face! …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • straight face — /streɪt ˈfeɪs/ (say strayt fays) noun a deliberately serious expression, especially in an attempt to suppress laughter: * You mean a sheep butted you into the river? Mum was having difficulty keeping a straight face. –barney roberts, 1987.… …  

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