poker face

American  

noun

1. an expressionless face.

   He can tell a funny story with a poker face.

2. a person who has or deliberately assumes a poker face.

   It is impossible to tell what that poker face is really thinking.

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poker face British  

noun

1. informal a face without expression, as that of a poker player attempting to conceal the value of his cards

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poker face Idioms  

1. A visage lacking any expression that can be interpreted, as in Whenever Betty attended one of her children's performances, she managed to keep a poker face. This term alludes to the facial expression of a poker player who is expert at concealing his feelings about his hand. [c. 1880]

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Other Word Forms

• poker-faced adjective

Etymology

Origin of poker face

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

“And I’m just sitting there trying to keep a poker face: ‘Oh, OK, tell me more.’”

From Los Angeles Times

But one thing Russia's president does not have is a poker face.

From BBC

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," Carr said.

From BBC

Steve Clarke's poker face remained intact, his demeanour telling you nothing about how dreadful a night this was for himself and his team.

From BBC

An earlier rolling encounter with reporters took No 10 by surprise: the prime minister's wife, standing next to the president, perfecting her poker face as the questions – and answers – flowed and flowed.

From BBC