poker face

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.

poker face

noun

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

Other Words From

• poker-faced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poker face¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

And Melinda May (played by Ming-Na Wen, the best-known actor besides Gregg) was all poker face.

From The Daily Beast

The magnificent Rampling has the gravitas and the poker face necessary to pull off the mysterious role.

From The Daily Beast

“He put on his poker face,” said Yehia el-Gammal, a Cairo activist, shortly after the speech concluded.

From The Daily Beast

Her first international hit came in 2009 with Just Dance, followed by Poker Face.

From The Daily Beast

Work your poker face and draft your solo plans, securing your base by taking stock of assets and allies.

From The Daily Beast

They all had the beat look of compulsive gamblers, fogged over by their individual attempts at a poker face.

From Project Gutenberg

"Jest born that way, I reckon," remarked Poker-face in a tone of pity; and then the whole outfit broke into a whoop of laughter.

From Project Gutenberg

First he looked into the eyes of Poker Face the Baboon and saw something faraway.

From Project Gutenberg

He closed it quickly, glanced across at the banker, saw equal bewilderment on that usually poker-face.

From Project Gutenberg

"No," Poker Face answered, to a sharp question from the persistent Carson.

From Project Gutenberg