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Glite Dictionary
to clap on a smile

to clap on a smile

7.5
To put on a quick fake smile to hide how you feel
  • phrasal verb
  • UK
translation icon : sonreír
  • She quickly clapped on a smile when she saw her boss.

Examples

  • As soon as the cameras started rolling, she clapped on a smile for the viewers.

  • He clapped on a smile before joining the festive crowd, trying to hide his exhaustion.

  • Despite her nervousness, she clapped on a smile and greeted the audience.

  • Don't just clap on a smile; be genuine!

  • As soon as the cameras started rolling, she clapped on a smile for the viewers.

  • Despite her nervousness, she clapped on a smile and greeted the audience.

  • He clapped on a smile before joining the festive crowd, trying to hide his exhaustion.

Synonyms

to smile
vsto clap on a smile
∞ 1.0

To turn the corners of your mouth up to show happiness or friendliness

is put on quickly and looks artificial rather than showing real feeling
to grin
vsto clap on a smile
132 1.0

Smile broadly, often showing the teeth when you feel happy, amused, or embarrassed

is a quicker, more forced expression that lacks true amusement or warmth

Antonyms

frown
54 1.0

A facial expression with the eyebrows pushed together showing dislike or worry

to scowl
33 4.1

To give an angry look to show you do not like something

How Sincere

to beam
38 2.0
warm smile
4 1.0
to smile
∞ 1.0
to clap on a smile
  • UK
7.5

Surface Forms

clap on a smile infinitive
clapped on a smile past
clapped on a smile past participle
clapping on a smile present participle
claps on a smile third person singular

Morphology

clap + on + a + smile

The meaning 'to put on a smile quickly' is directly derivable from combining 'clap' (to place or shut quickly/forcefully) with the particle 'on' (indicating putting something onto) and 'smile' (facial expression). Although slightly metaphorical (you do not literally clap a smile), the compositional action of quickly applying a smile is predictable from the constituents and therefore accessible to a B1 learner who knows the words.

Etymology

Clap on a smile may come from the image of quickly using your hands to clap a smile onto your face, as if the smile were something you could press on. So it means 'to put on a smile quickly' that often looks fake or forced.