chin

[chin] /tʃɪn/
noun
1.
the lower extremity of the face, below the mouth.
2.
the prominence of the lower jaw.
3.
Informal. chin-up.
verb (used with object), chinned, chinning.
4.
Gymnastics.
  1. to bring one's chin up to (a horizontal bar, from which one is hanging by the hands), by bending the elbows.
  2. to raise (oneself) to this position.
5.
to raise or hold to the chin, as a violin.
6.
Archaic. to talk to; chatter with.
verb (used without object), chinned, chinning.
7.
Gymnastics. to chin oneself.
8.
Slang. to talk; chatter:
We sat up all night chinning about our college days.
Idioms
9.
keep one's chin up, to maintain a cheerful disposition in spite of difficulties, disappointments, etc.
Also, chin up.
10.
take it on the chin, Informal.
  1. to suffer defeat; fail completely.
  2. to endure suffering or punishment.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English; Old English cin(n); cognate with Dutch kin, German Kinn chin, Old Norse kinn, Gothic kinnus cheek, Latin gena, Greek génus chin, gnáthos jaw (see genial2, -gnathous), Sanskrit hanus jaw
Related forms
chinless, adjective
underchin, noun
British Dictionary definitions for keep one's chin up

chin

/tʃɪn/
noun
1.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
2.
the front part of the face below the lips related adjective genial
3.
keep one's chin up, to keep cheerful under difficult circumstances Sometimes shortened to chin up!
4.
(informal) take it on the chin, to face squarely up to a defeat, adversity, etc
verb chins, chinning, chinned
5.
(gymnastics) to raise one's chin to (a horizontal bar, etc) when hanging by the arms
6.
(transitive) (informal) to punch or hit (someone) on the chin
Word Origin
Old English cinn; related to Old Norse kinn, Old High German kinni, Latin gena cheek, Old Irish gin mouth, Sanskrit hanu
Word Origin and History for keep one's chin up

chin

n.

Old English cin, cinn "chin" (but in some compounds suggesting an older, broader sense of "jawbone"); a general Germanic word (cf. Old Saxon and Old High German kinni; Old Norse kinn; German Kinn "chin;" Gothic kinnus "cheek"), from PIE root *genu- "chin, jawbone" (cf. Sanskrit hanuh, Avestan zanu- "chin;" Armenian cnawt "jawbone, cheek;" Lithuanian žándas "jawbone;" Greek genus "lower jaw," geneion "chin;" Old Irish gin "mouth," Welsh gen "jawbone, chin").

v.

1590s, "to press (affectionately) chin to chin," from chin (n.). Meaning "to bring to the chin" (of a fiddle) is from 1869. Slang meaning "talk, gossip" is from 1883, American English. Related: Chinned; chinning. Athletic sense of "raise one's chin over" (a raised bar, for exercise) is from 1880s.

keep one's chin up in Medicine

chin (chĭn)
n.
The prominence formed by the anterior projection of the lower jaw.

Slang definitions & phrases for keep one's chin up

keep one's chin up

verb phrase

To maintain a positive attitude (1938+)


chin

noun

A talk; a chat (1890s+)

verb
  1. To talk; converse: happily chinning in the corner (1870s+)
  2. To talk to: The cop was chinning a nurse (1880s+)
Related Terms

take it on the chin, wag one's chin


Related Abbreviations for keep one's chin up

CHIN

  1. Children's Health Information Network
  2. Community Health Information Network
Idioms and Phrases with keep one's chin up

keep one's chin up

Be stalwart and courageous in a difficult situation, as in Don't let the loan officer intimidate you; keep your chin up, or Despite all the difficulty, he kept his chin up. This expression alludes to a posture of firm resolution. [ First half of 1900s ]

chin

see: