poker face
Poker face (noun) means a blank expression that gives away nothing about what a person is thinking or feeling. Example: “She kept a perfect poker face while they read out the verdict.”
How to Use Poker face
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA face that shows nothing at all about what you are feeling.
Informal but universally understood, and common in business and negotiation writing as well as everyday speech.
Deadpan usually describes a comic delivery; a poker face is about hiding information, not being funny.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She kept a perfect _____ while they read out the verdict.
Etymology
From the card game poker, in which concealing your reaction to your own hand is essential to play.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for poker face
See all rhymes for poker face →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a poker face and deadpan?
A poker face is about concealment — hiding what you think or feel, typically to gain an advantage. Deadpan describes delivering something funny with no expression at all, where the flatness is the joke. One hides information, the other creates humour.
How do you keep a poker face?
The usual advice is to relax the jaw and brow, keep your breathing steady, avoid touching your face, and settle your gaze rather than darting your eyes. The tell is nearly always a change from your resting expression, so consistency matters more than blankness.