unflappable
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From un- + flap (“to upset, stir”) + -able.
Pronunciation
[edit]- IPA(key): /ʌnˈflæpəbəl/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Adjective
[edit]unflappable (comparative more unflappable, superlative most unflappable)
- Remaining composed and level-headed at all times; impossible to fluster; not becoming frustrated or irritated easily. [from 1954]
- Synonyms: collected, cool, even-keeled, imperturbable; see also Thesaurus:apathetic
- Antonym: flappable
- 1959, The Economist, volume 190:
- The whole thing looked remarkably like an implacable force meeting an unflappable object.
- 1978, James D. Margach, The abuse of power: the war between Downing Street and the media from Lloyd George to Callaghan:
- It was for this reason that when Lord Hailsham first described Harold Macmillan as "unflappable'", it became an instant catchword, distancing the incoming Prime Minister from his predecessor
- 2010 September 26, Gary Younge, “Obama won as cool and unflappable. But presidents need to act angry too”, in The Guardian[1], →ISSN, archived from the original on 2 August 2024:
- Whereas his predecessor was impetuous, Obama was praised for being contemplative and unflappable. Bush had a gut; Obama had a brain.
- 2019 November 22, Lauren Gambino, “'Absolute fearlessness': women take impeachment spotlight and speak truth as Trump fumes”, in The Guardian[2], archived from the original on 1 January 2020:
- Hill’s unflappable performance capped an extraordinary two weeks of public testimony, in which 12 witnesses testified during seven public hearings.
- 2023 October 22, HarryBlank, “Waiting to Happen”, in SCP Foundation[3], archived from the original on 23 May 2024:
- It took a lot to get Wheeler's pulse going, but Lillian's dangerous joke had done the job. The otherwise unflappable woman was flushed with adrenaline.
Related terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]remaining composed and level-headed at all times
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