A poker face
Meaning
An impassive expression that conceals one's true thoughts or feelings.
Origin
Imagine the smoky backrooms of 19th-century American saloons, where fortunes were won and lost on the turn of a card. The game was poker, and while the cards you held were vital, just as important was the expression you didn't show. Players quickly learned that any flicker of emotion—a slight smile at a good hand, a subtle frown at a bad one—could give away their strategy to watchful opponents. This critical need to conceal one's thoughts, to present an utterly blank and unreadable visage, gave birth to the term "poker face." It was the ultimate mask, allowing players to bluff and deceive, and soon, this essential gambling tactic escaped the card table, becoming a powerful metaphor for emotional control in any high-stakes situation.
Examples
- Despite winning the lottery, Sarah managed to keep a poker face during the meeting, not wanting to reveal her excitement.
- The seasoned negotiator maintained a perfect poker face, giving away no clues about her next move.