Definition

Noun: * An impassive, expressionless face that reveals no emotion, thoughts, or intentions, especially one maintained to conceal one's true feelings or reactions during a situation like a card game, negotiation, or conversation.

Usage

A "poker face" is used to describe a deliberately neutral facial expression. It is most commonly associated with the game of poker, where players must not reveal whether they have a good or bad hand. The term is used metaphorically in any situation where someone wants to hide their true feelings, reactions, or plans.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Despite hearing the shocking news, she kept a perfect poker face.
  • Good negotiators often maintain a poker face to avoid showing their position.
  • He tried to read his opponent's poker face, but it was impossible.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a poker face": To naturally or habitually have an expressionless face.
  • As a spy, he was trained to have a poker face at all times.
• "To keep/maintain a poker face": To consciously control one's expression to remain unreadable.
  • When they asked the tricky question, she struggled to keep a poker face.
• "To put on a poker face": To deliberately adopt an expressionless look.
  • He put on a poker face before entering the meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Poker-faced (adjective): Having or showing a poker face; expressionless.
  • She gave a poker-faced response to the accusation.

Synonyms

• Deadpan
• Impassive face
• Expressionless face
• Inscrutable expression
• Stone face

Antonyms

• Open book
• Expressive face
• Animated face
• Transparent expression

Related Idioms

• "Keep your cards close to your chest": To keep your plans, feelings, or intentions secret. This idiom is conceptually related to maintaining a poker face.
  • He's keeping his cards close to his chest about the new project.

Noun

1. a face without any interpretable expression (as that of a good poker player)