keep (one's) head

(redirected from keep our heads)

keep (one's) head

To be and remain in a calm, stable, sensible, and pragmatic state or condition despite stress. My father has always been a rock of level-headed judgment and advice. Even during our family's lowest points, he's always kept his head.

See also: head, keep

keep one's head

Fig. to remain calm and sensible when in an awkward situation that might cause a person to panic or go out of control. She was very angry. We had to calm her down and encourage her to keep her head. Always try to keep your head when others are panicking.

See also: head, keep

keep one's head

1. Stay calm, retain self-control, as in When the rowboat capsized, George yelled that everyone should keep their head and hold onto the boat . This usage dates from the early 1600s and is about two centuries older than the antonym, lose one's head, meaning "to become confused and agitated," as in Whenever the stock market goes down sharply, people seem to lose their heads and sell.

2. keep one's head above water. See head above water.

See also: head, 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 your head

COMMON If you keep your head, you remain calm in a difficult situation. Keep your head. A calm presence is an invaluable asset. The most important thing is to keep your head and focus on what you are doing. Compare with lose your head.

See also: head, keep

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

keep (or lose) your head

remain (or fail to remain) calm.

1990 Time He claims that Quayle rises to the challenge, takes chances but keeps his head.

See also: head, keep

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

keep your ˈhead

think clearly and remain calm: If there is a robbery, you should try to keep your head and do as you are told.

See also: head, keep

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

References in classic literature ?

"Dear, dear--we must keep our heads! And after all, if she doesn't mind it--!" She even tried a grim joke.

View in context

"We played very well but the final result, we lost, so we are disappointed." he told NUFC.co.uk "We have to keep working, and keep our heads up.

I'm not satisfied, I need more goals

"We have just had to keep our heads up to be honest.

Bright keeps focus amid uncertainty

"You can't play like that and we need to keep our heads up.

Dutch star De Jong baffled by slow starts which leave Toon with too much to do

"So we've got to keep our heads and keep per-Turn to Page 49 From Back Page forming and keep going."

There's no need to panic - Clayton; Victory over Wolves will lift the clouds says Clayton

"We're disappointed but I thought we did really well so we can keep our heads up going into the next game.

Dylan: Don't let late blow KO cup chances

"We have to keep our heads down, work hard and see how it goes.

HENDRICK KEEPS HOPE OF START

"We've got to keep our heads. "We've had two very difficult games and other teams will have those but without writing off these next two games we're at home and have more of a chance of winning.

Doyle: Home wins vital

"The only way we keep our heads above water is by our own fundraising and a few grants.

Porthcawl lifeguard in bid to stop club sinking

"We generally keep our heads down and our noses to the grindstone, so it is very gratifying to look up and realize that our work has received this kind of recognition," said David Mandl, who co-founded the firm with Marvin H.

Architects taste success

The rest of us, Mosley says, are simply slogging along trying to keep our heads within the swirl of all that stuff--the technology, creature-comforts and the other distractions thrust at us by multinational companies who make much bank off our desperate consuming.

Workin' on the Chain Gang: Shaking off the Dead Hand of History

Team member Ken Scouler said: "We have to raise between pounds 50,000 and pounds 55,000 every year to keep our heads above water."

Mountain men's raft challenge

"We must keep our heads up and fight until the end."

Fans deserve better than to see us losing games at home, insists Atsu

It is harder to play on the pitch and it is hard to have control of the ball, so we have to look forward to the next game and keep our heads up."

Bacary: We must keep our heads up

"We were told to keep our heads down in case they 'The shot us through the windows.

PIRATE CHASE TERROR OF SAGA CRUISE BRITONS; PASSENGERS COWER BELOW DECKS IN HIGH-SEAS DRAMA