Tag Archives: composed

Keep one’s cool

Meaning: This idiom means to remain calm and composed, especially in stressful or difficult situations.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Even when the argument got heated, she managed to keep her cool and respond calmly.”
  2. “It’s important to keep your cool during a job interview, even if you’re nervous.”
  3. “He always keeps his cool, even when things don’t go as planned.”

Origin: The phrase “keep one’s cool” is thought to have emerged in the mid-20th century in American slang. “Cool” has long been used as a synonym for being calm, collected, and in control, especially in tense situations. To “keep one’s cool” means maintaining this calm demeanor, even under pressure. The phrase has become widely used in everyday speech to refer to staying level-headed in moments of emotional or stressful turmoil.

Keep one’s cool

Cool as a cucumber

Meaning: This idiom means to be very calm, composed, and untroubled, especially in a stressful or difficult situation.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Despite the chaos around him, he remained cool as a cucumber and handled the situation perfectly.”
  2. “She was as cool as a cucumber during the interview, answering every question with ease.”
  3. “Even when the flight was delayed for hours, he stayed cool as a cucumber and kept reading his book.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “cool as a cucumber” dates back to the 18th century. Cucumbers are known for their cool temperature, often several degrees cooler than the surrounding air due to their high water content. This natural characteristic of cucumbers has been used metaphorically to describe someone who remains calm and unflustered, regardless of the circumstances. The phrase vividly captures the sense of tranquility and self-control, likening a person’s demeanor to the refreshing coolness of a cucumber.