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poker face

1 of 1noun
/ˈpoʊkɚ feɪs/
1

a facial expression that does not reveal a person's feelings or thoughts

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The idiom "poker face" originated from the world of poker, a card game where players attempt to conceal their emotions and maintain a neutral facial expression to avoid giving away their hand or intentions. The phrase is used to signify the ability to keep a calm and composed demeanor, showing no visible signs of one's thoughts, feelings, or intentions.

  • Despite the pressure, he maintained a poker face during the negotiation, never revealing his excitement or desperation.
  • The detective's poker face made it difficult for the suspect to gauge whether they had any incriminating evidence against them.
  • During the intense game of poker, she wore a poker face, making it challenging for her opponents to anticipate her moves.
  • The actor's remarkable poker face allowed them to convincingly portray characters with hidden motives and emotions.
  • Even when receiving criticism, she managed to keep a poker face, not showing any signs of being affected by the negative feedback.