held high
13
4.4
- idiom
:
en alto
- We're leaving, very happily, with dignity and our heads held high.
- held high head
- held high chin
- held high hand
You know, screaming like a crazy person, but still head held high.
- You know, screaming like a crazy person, but still head held high.
- The greatest thing you can do is walk out of one of these relationships with your head held high and with grace.
- Having your anger and letting it flow and then taking back your life with your grace and your head held high.
- All the brothers left me alone, my mum was proud of me and all of a sudden I could walk with my head held high in my chest out.
- I left with my head held high and I went and met everyone else in the pub as I do.
Examples
-
The greatest thing you can do is walk out of one of these relationships with your head held high and with grace.
-
Let them walk out into St. Peter's Square with their heads held high.
-
You keep your head held high.
-
When you return, you will come with your head held high.
-
So I am going to keep my head held high and my heart open.
Blog text (8) -
Then, with her head held high, she walked straight across the room to the door.
Fiction book (2002) -
Win or lose ... we gonna walk out of this stadium tonight with our heads held high.
-
Then, head held high, she silently turned on her heel and left.
Fiction book (1998) -
I think it's just an acknowledgement that, yes, I've been through hell, but I've survived with my head held high.
-
After the presentation, she left the stage with her head held high, proud of her accomplishments.
Synonyms
20
2.3
At a great height above the ground
1
3.9
Raised above the surrounding ground or area
Held high in the air, like a hand or torch
Held up in the air higher than normal
Higher than the surrounding surface or area
Antonyms
How High
13
4.4
22
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'raised up in a proud or significant manner' follows directly from combining 'hold' (to take/support) with 'high' (in an elevated position); the phrase describes something kept or lifted to a high position. This compositional pattern is common in English and across languages, so an average B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Held high comes from the simple image of lifting something above people's heads, like a flag or trophy held up high so everyone can see. That's why it now means 'raised proudly' or 'shown with confidence'.