Keep Your Chin up — Meaning, Usage & Examples

What it means...

To stay hopeful and positive when things are hard.

When you tell someone to keep their chin up, you’re encouraging them not to give up or feel too defeated.

It’s often said to someone going through a tough time — a setback, a loss, or a long wait.

Use it when…

When someone is going through a difficult time and needs encouragement
When a friend feels like giving up after a failure
When someone is waiting for bad news and losing hope

Don’t confuse with...

"Hang in There"

—

Keep going and endure, focused on persisting through struggle

"Look on the Bright Side"

—

Find something positive in a specific bad situation

"Keep Your Chin up"

—

Stay positive and hopeful despite hardship

Where you’ll hear it

You’ll hear the "Keep Your Chin up" idiom in real life — at work, in relationships, or in the media.

Work & Business

Management

The director told his team to keep their chins up after the disappointing quarterly results.

Relationships & Social Life

Advice / Support

Her mother kept telling her to keep her chin up after the difficult breakup.

Media & Everyday Life

TV Shows / Movies

The coach told the losing team to keep their chins up and come back stronger next season.

‹›

Use it like this

Here’s how to use "Keep Your Chin up" idiom naturally in real conversations, with real examples.

Work & Business

Talking to Colleague

Colleague

I failed the certification exam again. I’m really losing hope.

You

Keep your chin up — you know this material better than anyone. You’ll pass next time.

Relationships

Giving Advice

You

Keep your chin up. Losing this job doesn’t mean the next one won’t be even better.

Friend

I really needed to hear that. Thank you.

Everyday Conversations

Small Talk

Friend

I’ve had such a rough few weeks — everything seems to be going wrong.

You

Keep your chin up. These things always pass.

‹›

Last updated:

April 20, 2026

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