How do you say “Keep a stiff upper lip” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is die Fassung bewahren, which literally means “to preserve one’s composure”. English speakers use keep a stiff upper lip to mean to remain outwardly calm and brave when things are difficult. A natural German match for staying outwardly composed. It lacks the English phrase’s old-fashioned cultural flavour. Register: neutral. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural German
die Fassung bewahren
/diː ˈfasʊŋ bəˌvaːʁən/
- Literal meaning
- “to preserve one’s composure”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
91 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
“Die Fassung bewahren” describes keeping control of your visible reaction. It does not mean that you feel nothing.
The phrase can apply to anger or surprise as well as distress. Name the situation when the English specifically suggests brave restraint.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
In context
English
She kept a stiff upper lip when the competition results were announced.
German
Sie bewahrte die Fassung, als die Ergebnisse des Wettbewerbs bekannt gegeben wurden.
English
He tried to keep a stiff upper lip, but his voice shook as he said goodbye.
German
Er versuchte, die Fassung zu bewahren, aber beim Abschied zitterte seine Stimme.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-11-13