blink back tears

blink back tears

To try to stop oneself from crying. I often have to blink back tears when I listen to a sappy love song on the radio. The poor student was so nervous on stage that she was clearly blinking back tears.
See also: back, blink, tear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • blink tears back
  • wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
  • wash hands of
  • wash one's hands of
  • wash your hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something
  • wash your hands of something/someone
  • for (one's) (own) sake
  • for sake
  • keep sight of somebody/something
References in periodicals archive
HISTORY makers Bobby and Jack Charlton blink back tears as they say an emotional farewell to World Cup winning team-mate Ray Wilson.
An emotional farewell to star of 1966; the charlton brothers and team-mates attend funeral
30am to beat the morning traffic.On the way to work, I couldn't help but blink back tears of gratitude to God for the amazing journey that I began several Good Fridays back.
OFF MY CHEST: I got over my addiction and was reborn on Easter
As the verdict was announced, Tazhayakov's mother began to weep openly and his father appeared somber, at some points appearing to blink back tears. Their son sat stoically, though at one point he lowered his head into his hands.
Jury finds Azamat Tazhayakov guilty, sentencing set for Oct. 16
"You just get so attached to the people," says Demanett, who then stops to blink back tears. "I said I'm not going to cry."
Rocket-In counts down its final days
Andre, who is the father of two of Price's children, said he would go to court if such a situation arose, adding: "I don't really want to talk about this, ok?" Andre was then asked a question about his tour and appeared to blink back tears as he said, his voice shaking: "I'd rather just stop this if that's all right?" Presenter Kay Burley apologised to Andre for upsetting him.
ANDRE'S TEARS AS PRICE MARRIES AGAIN
Andre, who is the father of Price's two other children, said he would go to court if such a situation arose, adding: "I don't really want to talk about this, ok?" Andre was then asked a question about his tour and appeared to blink back tears as he said, his voice shaking: "I'd rather just stop this if that's all right?"
Andre hits back over adoption questions
I can t believe it," the 70th-ranked Oudin gasped in a courtside interview as she tried to blink back tears.
Roddick slumps out, Oudin keeps the dream alive
And her mother Josephine leapt to her feet to give her very own standing ovation - Sienna spotting the gesture, smiling and appearing to blink back tears.
Show goes on for fuming star; JON CLEMENTS watches Sienna on the stage at Wyndham's Theatre last night
The sight of yellow ribbons tied around every tree lining Route 117 made me blink back tears as I drove to the service: frail bands of hope and love.
We won't leave a light on for you: some closing thoughts on how churches create community
The Queen appeared to blink back tears yesterday as she took on her late mother's role at the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
Royal grief: Queen fights tears as she takes over her mother's Remembrance role
Students get the "why" behind concepts like regrouping or fractions, Schiffano says, "At least several times a year, I blink back tears. Oh, my God, they get it."
Join the club: here's how one district blazed a trail to excellence by spurring teacher excitement for a new, non-traditional math program
"I don't often blink back tears nowadays; this time I did," said Benedict Nightingale in the Times of a show he said he has "been talking up" since 1998.
SPLIT DECISION FOR U.K. `WIT'
My throat constricts in the shower; I blink back tears in the sauna.
A good sport