Meaning

To "keep your cool" is to stay calm when a situation could make you angry, scared or flustered. "Cool" here is a noun meaning calmness, the opposite of a hot temper. The opposite phrase is "lose your cool": to get angry or panic in front of people.

You'll hear it about pressure moments: a rude customer, a flat tire on the highway, a job interview question you didn't expect. It's praise, and it's a little bit admiring: "She kept her cool the whole time" means she handled it well.

Both phrases are informal but fine at work. Managers say "Thanks for keeping your cool in there" after a hard meeting. Telling an upset person "Keep your cool" works as friendly advice before something happens, but in the middle of an argument it can sound like a scolding.

In a conversation

AikoMateo
  1. Aiko
  2. Mateo
  3. Aiko
  4. Mateo
  5. Aiko

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1"She kept her cool during the fire alarm." What did she do?
2Your teammate shouted at a client. Which phrase describes that?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. "Cool" is long and relaxed. Keep your own voice calm while you say it.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.