Bottles-up

To suppress or restrain one's emotions, feelings, or impulses, particularly negative ones like anger, sadness, or fear. It implies a conscious effort to keep these emotions hidden or controlled, often leading to a build-up of internal pressure. The phrase suggests a deliberate act of self-control, aiming to appear composed or to avoid causing distress to oneself or others. The act of bottles-up is also linked to not sharing problems or feelings that could potentially cause conflict or discomfort, preventing an honest exchange with another person. It's often associated with a stoic or emotionally reserved demeanor.

Bottles-up meaning with examples

• He **bottles up** his frustration at work, maintaining a polite facade even when his boss makes unreasonable demands. This constant restraint leaves him exhausted and unable to unwind properly at the end of the day. His suppressed anger simmered beneath his calm exterior, showing eventually by his withdrawal from friends and family.
• After the divorce, she decided to **bottle up** her sadness in order to stay strong for her children. She put on a happy face for them, though her internal struggles weighed heavily on her. The consequences of not processing grief, meant she felt disconnected from her own emotions and struggling to maintain her composure.
• He was taught to **bottle up** his anger and never show weakness. Therefore, when confronted with unfair treatment, he'd clench his jaw and refuse to speak his mind. In his view it was important to retain his dignity, therefore bottling up everything was deemed the way to succeed without letting anyone see vulnerability.
• She'd always **bottle up** her fear during public speaking, but this only worsened the anxiety, leading to missed opportunities. Her attempts to appear confident resulted in a shaky voice and frozen stance. Eventually she sought therapy to learn healthier coping mechanisms for controlling her emotion, thereby having a more positive outcome.