Choose the appropriate expression from the options to fill in the blank of the following sentence:
I'll just have to _________ and hope no one sees that I'm upset.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → put on a brave face
Put on a brave face means to look cheerful or calm while one is actually upset or worried. The speaker does not want anyone to see that he is upset, so he will hide his feelings behind a brave face.
Example: She was hurt by the result, but she put on a brave face at the party.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: be full of beans — Incorrect. Be full of beans means to be lively and full of energy; it describes real high spirits, not hiding sadness.
Example: The children were full of beans on the first day of the holidays.
Option 3: feel at sea — Incorrect. Feel at sea means to feel confused and unsure what to do; it does not mean hiding one's feelings.
Example: I felt at sea during my first week in the new office.
Option 4: go ballistic — Incorrect. Go ballistic means to become suddenly and violently angry; that would show everyone how upset he is.
Example: The coach went ballistic when the team arrived late.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at sea | – | – | – | 05-06 S3 | – |