Chin up
/ˈtʃɪn ʌp/
B1
Definition
"Chin up" means to keep your chin raised, which shows confidence and strength. People say it to encourage someone not to feel sad or discouraged. It is often used when someone faces problems or challenges, to remind them to stay hopeful and strong.
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See It in Action
Encouragement to stay positive or brave
- •When you feel sad, just keep your chin up and things will get better.
- •She told him to keep his chin up after he lost the game.
- •Chin up! Tomorrow is a new day with new chances.
The physical action of raising the chin as a sign of confidence or pride (less common use)
- •He walked into the room with his chin up, proud of his work.
- •Keeping your chin up can make you look more confident in a job interview.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "chin up" like "be brave," but with a physical image of lifting your chin to show you are strong
- ✓Picture a person looking down when sad, then lifting their chin to look ahead with confidence
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to keep going even if things are hard, like when you try again after failing
- ✓Sounds like "chin up" → imagine lifting your chin up like a little flag showing you are ready to face the world
- ✓In stories or movies, heroes often lift their chin before facing a big challenge, showing courage
- ✓NOT like "give up" (stop trying), "chin up" means keep trying and stay hopeful
- ✓NOT like "hide feelings" (keeping emotions inside), "chin up" shows strength openly, even if you feel sad inside
Try Other Words
- •Stay strong: keep being brave and not give up (Use when you want to encourage someone to keep their inner strength)
- •Keep going: continue trying despite problems (Use when focus is on continuing action)
- •Be positive: think in a good way about the future (Use when emphasizing hopeful thoughts)
- •Hold your head high: similar phrase meaning to show pride and confidence (Use in formal or serious situations)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "chin" (the front part of the lower face) + "up" (direction upwards)
- •Etymology: English phrase combining a body part with direction to show physical posture
- •Historical development: Used as encouragement from the 19th century, relating physical posture to emotional strength
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to encourage people in hard times or to show confidence
Reflect & Connect
•How does the physical action of lifting your chin help change your feelings or mood?
•Can "chin up" be used in situations where someone is not sad but just needs confidence? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.When you feel disappointed, people often say "chin up" to ___ your ___ and encourage you.
2.Keeping your chin up helps you look ___ and feel more ___ in difficult moments.
3.Saying "chin up" is a way to tell someone not to ___ or feel ___.
4.Unlike "give up," "chin up" means to ___ and keep trying even if things are hard.
5.You might lift your chin up during a speech to show ___ and ___.
6.When friends say "chin up," they want you to remember that ___ can improve.
7."Chin up" is often said ___ someone faces a problem or bad news.