Idioms

hold your head high | hold your head up high

This page is about the idiom hold your head high | hold your head up high

Meaning

You can hold your head high, or hold your head up high, if you feel proud of something.

For example

  • The team didn't win, but they can hold their heads up high because they put up a great fight.

  • Al said, "Will our generation be able to hold our heads high if we've created serious environmental problems for our grandchildren to deal with? I don't think so!"

Note:
"Hold your head high" is more common in American English, and "hold your head up high" is more common in British and Australian English.

Quick Quiz

After failing his driving test three times, Shane can hold his head up high now because he has

a. tried again

b. failed again

c. passed it
a) tried again b) failed again c) passed it

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey