free-symbols
🥹

face holding back tears Emoji

A face showing emotion and restrained crying, often used for heartfelt sadness or touched feelings.

U+1F979

🥹 Face Holding Back Tears expresses when you feel emotional but are trying not to cry. It’s a quick way to show vulnerability, relief, or being moved by something. Use it in messages, captions, or UI to match a sensitive, tender tone.

face holding back tears Emoji Meaning

The 🥹 emoji (Unicode U+1F979) shows a face with watery eyes and a worried, pleading expression, as if someone is holding back tears. It commonly conveys heartfelt sadness without being fully overwhelmed, gratitude that feels too big to say plainly, and emotional relief after a difficult moment. People also use it when something is “too sweet” or moving—like a kind message, an apology, or a wholesome update. In conversation, it often signals vulnerability, “I’m trying to stay strong,” or “this really got to me,” making it especially suitable for supportive, empathetic replies.

Common uses

  • Replying with empathy to a sad or stressful situation
  • Showing gratitude when words feel too emotional
  • Reacting to a sweet, heartfelt story or message
  • Expressing relief after good news or overcoming something hard
  • Adding a tender tone in comments about apologies, milestones, or progress

Examples

🥹 Face Holding Back Tears: Meaning & Copy

  • 🥹That’s so kind of you—🥹 thank you for understanding.
  • 🥹I’m proud of you. I’m honestly just trying not to cry 🥹
  • 🥹We finally got through it. I’m feeling so relieved 🥹
  • 🥹This made me stop scrolling… it’s everything 🥹
  • 🥹I’m sorry I hurt you. I really mean it 🥹

Variations

Ready to copy

Technical codes

UnicodeU+1F979
HTML Entity🥹
HTML Code🥹
CSS\1F979

FAQ

What does 🥹 mean?

🥹 means “Face Holding Back Tears.” It’s used for restrained crying—often sadness, gratitude, relief, or being deeply moved.

When should I use 🥹 instead of 🥲?

Use 🥹 when the emotion is stronger or more vulnerable (near tears). Use 🥲 for more subtle, dry-affected sadness or mixed feelings.

How do I copy 🥹 in code?

The symbol is Unicode U+1F979. You can use HTML entity 🥹 or CSS escape \\1F979.

Is 🥹 appropriate for professional messages?

It can be appropriate when expressing sincere thanks or empathy, but keep it restrained for formal settings where tone matters.