Keeping countenance refers to the act of maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, especially in difficult or embarrassing situations. There are several synonyms for this phrase, such as staying cool, keeping a straight face, maintaining composure, or holding one's own. Other phrases that can be used interchangeably with keeping countenance include keeping one's dignity, keeping up appearances, and staying unfazed. These terms all refer to the idea of responding to a challenging situation in a way that shows strength, poise, and self-control. Whether you call it keeping countenance or maintaining composure, this skill is an important one to cultivate in any situation where you need to stay focused and stay in control.