bravado
n. uncountablen. a show of courage or confidence that is actually a way to hide your fear. It is often used to describe someone who acts tough to impress others.
n. a show of boldness or confidence, typically intended to mask underlying fear or insecurity. Often associated with a performative or theatrical display of courage.
He walked into the room with bravado to hide his nervousness.
Despite his bravado during the interview, he spent the entire night preparing for every possible question.
The protagonist's bravado serves as a narrative shield, allowing the audience to overlook the deep vulnerability and self-doubt that drive his every decision.
From French bravade (“bragging or boasting”), from Italian bravata, from verb bravare (“brag, boast”), from bravo. Compare bravura.