Keep your chin up!
Something that has bothered me in Korea is the use of “Cheer up.” It is not often used in Western countries because it is a little condescending. You are telling the other person that it is up to them to feel better. It is just not that easy to feel happy from a two-word sentence. ‘Cheer up’ is also written as an imperative sentence. So, it is like you are commanding them to get better. ‘Keep your chin up’ is similar to cheer up but doesn’t have the same feeling. Yes, it is still an imperative, but there is less condescension in the sentence.
Keep your chin up means to stay positive. It comes from proud and confident people’s body posture. They usually sit up (or stand up) straight, have their arms at the side, feet at shoulder width apart and will make good eye contact. However, the most important part is the chin. Holding up your chin is a sign that you are proud and confident. When you tell someone to keep their chin up you are tell them that they should feel more confident, proud, or positive etc. It is usually meant as encouragement for someone who is having a hard time emotionally.
Example: I heard you broke up with her. Keep your chin up! There are many other girls out there.
The first printed use of this phrase was in an October 1900 edition of the Pennsylvania newspaper called the Evening Democrat. I think it is pretty funny. “Keep your chin up. Don’t take your troubles to bed with you – hang them on a chair with your trousers or drop them in a glass of water with your teeth.”
Chin Ups
What makes humans different from all other animals? We have chins. I heard this a while ago, but recently heard it in a video again, so I wanted to look into it. Other primates, even our closest relatives (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, Neanderthals) don’t / didn’t have chins. The only other animal that comes close is the elephant which has a bony part at the front of the jaw, but it is generally not considered a chin because it has a different purpose. But we don’t really know why humans have chins. It might help us with chewing, is sexually attractive, is an adaptation of our faces becoming smaller, or came along with another evolution and just stuck around.
See Also: I feel you, Burnt out, The tides are turning, It's the destination, not the journey, Shit hits the fan
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Reference:
https://thetrustambassador.com/2020/04/19/body-language-75-pride/
https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/keep-your-chin-up/
https://www.theidioms.com/keep-your-chin-up/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chin-stroking-mystery-why-are-humans-ony-animals-with-chins-180957997/
https://www.npr.org/2016/01/29/464893281/why-do-humans-have-chins-a-scientist-explains-the-enduring-puzzle