game face

American  

[geym feys] / ˈgeɪm ˌfeɪs /

noun

1. a neutral or intense facial expression that suggests a focus on winning, as in a competitive sport or card game.

   The game faces at this poker tournament are as unflinching as stone.

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Etymology

Origin of game face

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

But even an athlete as fierce as Jones accepts she may need to improve her game face when it comes to her upcoming face-off with Criss.

From BBC

From a poker straight to genuine shock, Rachel's game face was on par to get her through some serious heat amongst fellow competitors.

From BBC

The aboatia puts his game face on, which means baring his teeth and puffing up his fur.

From Literature

Calvert, a lefty, had a steely-eyed game face, grinning only when she scored a point or stopped an opponent’s serve.

From Los Angeles Times

As they move, their screens light up with different colors — crossing into “Winter Caverns” changes their game face to blue.

From Los Angeles Times