endure something unpleasant with a forced smile · accept a difficult situation stoically
Imagine you're at a super boring family dinner, but you have to pretend you're having a blast because your grandma is watching. 😱 Or, you've got a tough work project, and you really just want to complain, but you know you have to get through it with a positive attitude. That's when you 'grin and bear it'!
💡 **Why a 'grin'?** It's not about being genuinely happy, but about putting on a brave face, often literally a smile, to hide your true feelings of discomfort or annoyance. 😌 It implies that while you're enduring something difficult, you're choosing to do so without openly complaining or showing your unhappiness. Think of it as 'suck it up buttercup' but a bit more refined! 😉
When would you use 'grin and bear it'? A. 😢 When you are openly crying about a sad event. B. 😤 When you have to do a task you dislike but act cheerful about it. C. 🥳 When you are celebrating a big success with friends.