whistle past the graveyard

The phrase "whistle past the graveyard" typically means to pretend to be unfazed or to act cheerful in the face of danger, fear, or uncertainty. It refers to a person trying to distract themselves or others from a potentially perilous situation by engaging in superficial or light-hearted behavior. The phrase draws the image of someone whistling to mask their anxiety while passing by a cemetery, where symbols of death and mortality can normally induce a somber or eerie atmosphere. Essentially, it signifies the act of putting on a brave face despite being in a precarious or unsettling circumstance.