keep your chin up

Meaning

This expression is used to encourage someone to remain cheerful, hopeful, and brave during a difficult time. It suggests that they should stay strong and not let adversity get them down. It is typically used in supportive conversations with friends, family, or colleagues.

Examples

• I know the job search is tough right now, but keep your chin up—something will come up soon.

  I know the job search is tough right now, but keep your chin up—something will come up soon.

• Keep your chin up, buddy! You played a great game despite the loss.

  Keep your chin up, buddy! You played a great game despite the loss.

• She's trying to keep her chin up even though she's dealing with a lot of stress at home.

  She's trying to keep her chin up even though she's dealing with a lot of stress at home.

• It's hard to keep your chin up when everything seems to be going wrong at once.

  It's hard to keep your chin up when everything seems to be going wrong at once.

• Keep your chin up; we'll get through this project deadline together.

  Keep your chin up; we'll get through this project deadline together.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ You need to keep up your chin.

  ✓ You need to keep your chin up.

  The idiom is fixed. The word 'up' should go after 'chin,' not before it.

• ✗ Keep your chins up, guys!

  ✓ Keep your chin up, guys!

  Even when speaking to a group of people, the singular 'chin' is used in this idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I know you're disappointed about the exam, but ___.

  💡 An encouraging phrase to stay hopeful.

  Show answer

  keep your chin up

• It's tough losing a pet, but try to ___.

  💡 Don't lose hope or let sadness take over completely.

  Show answer

  keep your chin up