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Whistle in the Dark

What Does "Whistle in the Dark" Mean?

homeidiomsWhistle in the Dark
"Whistle in the dark" is an English idiom. It means "to pretend to be brave or confident in the face of fear or uncertainty."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "whistle in the dark" used in a sentence:
  • She was whistling in the dark as she walked through the haunted house.
  • His jokes were just a way to whistle in the dark and hide his nervousness.
  • Whistling in the dark won't change the fact that we're lost in the woods.
meaning for whistle in the dark

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Whistle in the Dark" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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