keep one's cool

keep (one's) cool

To maintain control of one's composure, temper, or nerve in a given situation. He really kept his cool when the waiter dropped his food. I tried to keep my cool during the interview, but I was extremely nervous the whole time.

See also: cool, keep

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep one's cool

Retain one's composure and poise, as in Billy keeps his cool, no matter what the situation. This slangy usage dates from the mid-1900s, as do the antonyms blow one's cool and lose one's cool, as in Try not to blow your cool in front of the team, or Dad lost his cool when he saw Jim playing with matches. Also see keep cool.

See also: cool, keep

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

keep one’s cool

tv. to remain calm and in control. (see also keep cool. Compare this with lose one’s cool.) It’s hard to keep your cool when you’ve been cheated.

See also: cool, keep

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.