whistle past the graveyard
phrase
informal
: to act or talk as if one is relaxed and not afraid when one is actually afraid or nervous
He shows a confident manner, but he may just be whistling past the graveyard.
Cite this Entry
“Whistle past the graveyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whistle%20past%20the%20graveyard. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
