a straight face
复数形式
straight faces
1
一张严肃的脸, 面无表情的脸
one's face when it is devoid of any signs of amusement, interest, or even sadness
The idiom "a straight face" can be traced back to the early 19th century. It derives from the literal meaning of "straight," which refers to something that is not crooked or bent, suggesting a neutral and unexpressive appearance. The expression gained popularity in English-speaking cultures as a way to describe maintaining a neutral facial expression, especially in situations where one might normally show a smile or frown. It is used when individuals need to keep their composure or hide their true feelings, often in contexts involving humor, irony, or situations that might cause amusement.
- I'm trying to keep a straight face while telling him the silly story.
我在告诉他这个愚蠢的故事时，尽量保持一副严肃的面孔。
- I couldn't keep a straight face when remembering how she fell in the mud.
当我想起她是怎么掉进泥里的时候，我无法保持一张严肃的脸。
- I'm forcing a straight face while she recounts the silly mishap.
- She'll struggle holding a straight face when I retell that ridiculous story.
当我重述那个荒谬的故事时，她会很难保持一张严肃的脸。
- She would manage a straight face if it were anything else, not that anecdote.
如果是别的事情，她会保持一张严肃的脸，而不是那个轶事。