Keep your hair on

Meaning

The idiom "keep your hair on" is a phrase used to encourage someone to stay calm, collected, and focused during a stressful or difficult situation. It suggests that the person should not let their emotions get the better of them and maintain a composure so as to handle the situation effectively.

Usage

• "I told her to keep her hair on while we discussed the project budget." - This sentence indicates that the speaker is urging someone to remain calm during a discussion about a budget, which could be a contentious topic.
• "He kept his hair on and managed to complete the test within the time limit." - In this context, the idiom implies that the person was able to stay focused and composed in order to successfully complete an exam.
• "When she found out about her husband's affair, she let it get to her head and lost control. But her friends reminded her to keep her hair on and focus on what was important." - This sentence suggests that the speaker is urging someone to maintain a level of emotional stability during a difficult time, in order to stay focused on the things that are truly important.
• "He lost his cool when he found out his boss was laying off several employees. But his colleagues encouraged him to keep his hair on and not take it personally." - In this context, the idiom implies that the speaker is urging someone to maintain a level of emotional balance during a difficult time, in order to avoid taking things too personally.
• "The customer was very angry when he received the wrong product, but I reminded him to keep his hair on and we would resolve the issue." - In this context, the idiom suggests that the speaker is encouraging someone to stay calm and composed during a difficult situation in order to properly handle it.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "keep your hair on" is not entirely clear, but it has been used in English since at least the 17th century. One possible explanation is that the phrase refers to an old custom of shaving one's head as a sign of mourning or grief. By keeping their hair on, people were able to maintain a sense of composure and dignity during difficult times. Another possible explanation is that the phrase is derived from the idea of maintaining one's physical strength and energy in order to handle challenging situations. By staying calm and collected, people were able to maintain their physical vitality and handle difficult challenges more effectively. Over time, the idiom has evolved to take on a broader meaning that encompasses emotional stability as well as physical strength. Today, it is commonly used to encourage someone to stay composed and focused during stressful or difficult situations.

Synonyms in English

• "Calm down" - This phrase also encourages someone to remain emotionally stable and avoid getting too upset.
• "Take a deep breath" - This idiom suggests taking a moment to calm oneself before becoming overwhelmed by emotion.
• "Stay focused" - This phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining mental concentration during difficult times.
• "Keep your cool" - This idiom conveys the same message as "keep your hair on" but with a slightly more informal tone.
• "Maintain composure" - This phrase suggests a need to remain emotionally and mentally stable in order to handle challenging situations effectively.

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Garder la tête froide" - This phrase has the same meaning as "keep your hair on" but with a slightly different wording.
• Spanish: "Mantenerse tranquilo/a" - This idiom suggests maintaining emotional stability during difficult times.
• Italian: "Tieni la testa fredda" - This phrase has the same meaning as "keep your hair on" but with a slightly different wording.
• German: "Bleib du ruhig" - This idiom encourages someone to remain calm and composed during difficult times.
• Chinese: "保持冷静" - This phrase suggests maintaining emotional stability in order to handle challenging situations effectively.

Similar Idioms

• button your lip

• wet behind the ears

• cost an arm and a leg