Definition of whistle past the graveyard
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.
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share whistle past the graveyard