"Keep your jaw on" is a phrase used when somebody is overwrought, overly shocked, or unnecessarily upset over a trivial matter. The expression was inspired by John Glubb, a WW1 soldier who had his jaw shot off but managed to have it reconstructed using surgery. The point of the phrase was, if even somebody who's reached a situation that low managed to fix their problems, you shouldn't be reacting so badly about a smaller issue.
Popularised in Northwest England's coastal towns, the phrase is often used as a less niche form of the phrase "don't get your knickers in a twist."
Popularised in Northwest England's coastal towns, the phrase is often used as a less niche form of the phrase "don't get your knickers in a twist."
PERSON 1: “Oh my God, my life is over! My phone, my beautiful phone - it's been delayed in transit. I literally don't know what to do. What the Hell should I do?”
PERSON 2: “Jesus Christ, keep your jaw on. It'll clearly get here in the end - some people have real problems.”
PERSON 2: “Jesus Christ, keep your jaw on. It'll clearly get here in the end - some people have real problems.”
by C L G May 01, 2025