Meaning
To show courage and self-control by not visibly displaying fear, grief, or distress in a difficult situation.
It’s often invoked as advice or praise for enduring hardship calmly and without complaint, rather than for any particular action taken.
Origin
Despite its strong association with British reserve and imperial-era stoicism, the phrase is documented as American in origin — its earliest known appearance is in the “Massachusetts Spy” on June 14, 1815: “I kept a stiff upper lip, and bought [a] license to sell my goods.” It remained common in 19th-century American writing, appearing in the works of Thomas Haliburton (1837), Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852), and Mark Twain, and only began showing up in British publications toward the end of the century. Language historian Michael Quinion has noted his own surprise at discovering the phrase’s American roots, given how thoroughly it later became identified with a specifically English cultural ideal of emotional restraint under pressure.
Examples
She kept a stiff upper lip throughout the funeral.
He always keeps a stiff upper lip during a crisis.
They were told to keep a stiff upper lip and carry on.
A: “How is she handling the news?” B: “She’s keeping a stiff upper lip.”
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Keep a stiff upper lip' mean?
To show courage and self-control by not visibly displaying fear, grief, or distress in a difficult situation.
It’s often invoked as advice or praise for enduring hardship calmly and without complaint, rather than for any particular action taken.