idioms meaning "to avoid showing any emotion"

[Olenek]

Hi,

There are two idioms meaning "to avoid showing any emotion, esp. amusement":

To keep a straight face
To keep one’s countenance

I think that the 1st one is more common. Am I right?
Do you use other idioms with this sense?

Many thanks for all your answers!

[Verona_82]

I'm not sure about amusement, but a person can have a poker face (showing no expression on their face)

[freezeframe]

Deadpan is kind of related.

[BobK]

I'm not sure about amusement, but a person can have a poker face (showing no expression on their face)

And just as someone with a poker face doesn't have to be playing poker (although showing no expression is a good idea in that context), a person can be said to 'be playing his/her cards close to his/her chest' although no playing cards are actually involved.

b

[Verona_82]

I thought "not bat an eye/eyelid" might also be worth mentioning.
When somebody doesn't bat an eye, they don't show any reaction, especially when something unusual happens. I guess it's a good one when describing someone who doesn't seem shocked or surpised or upset.

When I told my boyfriend I wanted to go to Europe for six months alone, he didn't bat an eyelid. Now I'm wondering if he loves me at all.

[Olenek]

The British idiom "Not turn a hair" mean to not seem at all surprised or shocked.
For example: "I was expecting her to be furious but she didn't turn a hair".

I'm not sure whether it is common.

[freezeframe]

give a blank stare
have a blank face

[SanMar]

Stiff upper lip.
This is a fairly known British idiom, although not really used in Canada.
But maybe the Brits should confirm if I have used it correctly.

Not a teacher.

[freezeframe]

Stiff upper lip.
This is a fairly known British idiom, although not really used in Canada.
But maybe the Brits should confirm if I have used it correctly.

Not a teacher.

I think stiff upper lip means not showing negative emotions. For example, if something is upsetting. I don't think it's used for not showing amusement. But I could be wrong. All my knowledge about the UK derives from Father Ted*.




* Slight exaggeration.


AC/DC - Stiff upper lip

[SanMar]

I think stiff upper lip means not showing negative emotions. For example, if something is upsetting. I don't think it's used for not showing amusement. But I could be wrong. All my knowledge about the UK derives from Father Ted*.




* Slight exaggeration.


AC/DC - Stiff upper lip

I would agree. It is normally said to keep one from breaking down.
As far as I know.


Not a teacher.