cool as a cucumber
Meaning
Very calm and unbothered, especially in a stressful situation; composed and not showing anxiety.
Origin
Recorded from the 1700s; based on the idea that cucumbers stay cool to the touch inside even in warm weather, making them a metaphor for calm composure.
Notes
Usually complimentary: calm, composed, unflustered under pressure. Implies emotional control. Common in everyday speech; can be ironic if the person is actually nervous.
Examples
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Even with the deadline moved up, Maya stayed cool as a cucumber and finished the report.
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The goalkeeper was cool as a cucumber during the penalty shootout.
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When the interviewer challenged him, he remained cool as a cucumber and answered calmly.
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While everyone else panicked during the power outage, Grandma was cool as a cucumber.
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He looked cool as a cucumber on stage, but he admitted he was nervous afterward.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Pattern: “as + adjective + as + noun” (cool as a cucumber). Often used after “be/seem/keep/stay”: “He stayed cool as a cucumber.” “Cool” may be intensified (“as cool as a cucumber”), but wording is fairly fixed.
Synonyms
- calm
- composed
- unflappable
- collected
- level-headed
Antonyms
- nervous
- anxious
- flustered
- panicked
- agitated