stiff upper lip

noun

: a steady and determined attitude or manner in the face of trouble

stiff-upper-lip

ˈstif-ˈə-pər-ˈlip 

adjective

Examples of stiff upper lip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Geno Carr is also a standout as the Haversham butler Perkins, who manages to keep a stiff upper lip no matter what mayhem occurs around him. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Caroline, as an ambassador of her family’s dynasty, has to offer condolences while keeping a stiff upper lip, only able to work through the latest of many tragedies in her life internally. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026

In the Margaret Thatcher biopic, Streep sports a stiff upper lip and no patience for snobby misogyny as England's first female prime minister. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Served with a stiff upper lip — and often an even stiffer drink — the comedies, dramas, police procedurals, science fiction, thrillers, and other genre fusions on this list are some of the best series the country and medium have to offer. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase keep a stiff upper lip

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stiff upper lip

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• citizenship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship