Question

Keep a Stiff Upper Lip to be brave and not show emotion in a time of trouble

Accepted Answer

Even when the boss yelled at Nyasha for dropping the soup in the lady's lap, she kept a stiff upper lip. This American expression was first used in the early 1800s. When a person is frightened or angry or ready to burst into tears, his or her lips often tremble. So if you're told to "keep a stiff upper lip," someone wants you to hide your feelings. You may wonder why the idiom refers only to the upper lip and not to both lips. It might have to do with the fact that in the 1800s, when many men grew mustaches, a trembling upper lip was more noticeable. A similar expression is "keep your chin up."

Idiom	Keep a Stiff Upper Lip
Example	Even when the boss yelled at Nyasha for dropping the soup in the lady's lap, she kept a stiff upper lip.
Meaning	to be brave and not show emotion in a time of trouble
Origin	This American expression was first used in the early 1800s. When a person is frightened or angry or ready to burst into tears, his or her lips often tremble. So if you're told to "keep a stiff upper lip," someone wants you to hide your feelings. You may wonder why the idiom refers only to the upper lip and not to both lips. It might have to do with the fact that in the 1800s, when many men grew mustaches, a trembling upper lip was more noticeable. A similar expression is "keep your chin up."

Upper Lip Stiff Expression Boss Yelled Nyasha Dropping