Put on a brave face
/pʊt ɒn ə breɪv feɪs/neutralUK · US
What does “Put on a brave face” mean?
Put on a brave face means to appear cheerful or confident while feeling upset or worried
Someone putting on a brave face may smile, keep talking or say they are fine. Underneath, they still feel worried, disappointed or hurt.
It does not necessarily mean they are being dishonest. They may be protecting their privacy or trying not to worry the people around them.
When do people say it?
Use it sympathetically when someone tries not to show how much a difficult event has affected them.
“Ella put on a brave face at dinner, but she was worried about the test results.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The face is the expression someone shows to other people. “Putting on” a brave one suggests choosing what others see.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Put on a brave face” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-09-19