chest up
To lift up the front of your body and stand tall — showing confidence or good posture.
Meanings
A physical instruction to raise the chest and maintain upright, confident posture.
"The drill sergeant barked, 'Chest up, shoulders back — you look like you're half asleep!'"
Figuratively, to project confidence, pride, or courage in one's bearing.
"After a disappointing loss, the coach told the players to chest up and walk back onto that field with their heads high."
Used in physical training as a posture cue, and figuratively to encourage confidence or pride. More common in coaching, military, and fitness contexts. The figurative sense is less frequent than the physical one.
Commonly used with
Forms
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