# straight face

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/straight-face
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A face that is expressionless, especially not laughing.

## Examples

- I tried to keep a straight face while he told the joke.
- She struggled to keep a straight face when her boss walked into the meeting wearing two different shoes.
- Despite the absurdity of the accusations leveled against him, he maintained a perfectly straight face throughout the entire legal proceeding.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.