keep a straight face
idiom
: to not smile or laugh
It was hard to keep a straight face with everyone else laughing.
Examples of keep a straight face in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Liz could barely keep a straight face watching her husband struggle.
—
Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 June 2025
Just look at those big floppy ears and toothy grin, those Tasmanian Devil-meets-Hula dancer moves, and try to keep a straight face.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 21 May 2025
And, remember, keep a straight face for the television camera while spouting absurdities.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Even Randle couldn't keep a straight face upon hearing the comments from Edwards and had trouble finishing his interview.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep a straight face
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 June 2025
Just look at those big floppy ears and toothy grin, those Tasmanian Devil-meets-Hula dancer moves, and try to keep a straight face.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 21 May 2025
And, remember, keep a straight face for the television camera while spouting absurdities.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Even Randle couldn't keep a straight face upon hearing the comments from Edwards and had trouble finishing his interview.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for keep a straight face
Cite this Entry
“Keep a straight face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20a%20straight%20face. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share