a bundle of laughs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bundle of laughs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is very funny or entertaining. Example: "The comedian was a bundle of laughs, keeping the audience in stitches throughout the entire show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Film

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

They were not a bundle of laughs at the Euros.

The Guardian - Sport

Edwards' European tour was not a bundle of laughs.

The Guardian - Sport

"He sounds like a bundle of laughs, your shrink".

The New Yorker

It's not been a bundle of laughs, has it?

The Guardian - Sport

"My childhood, like many people's, was not a bundle of laughs.

The New Yorker

The unsettling instrumental Voiceless Terror, as its title suggests, is hardly a bundle of laughs either.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Despite the rom-com allure of the format, the film is not exactly a rose-hued bundle of laughs.

The New York Times

This may not sound like the proverbial bundle of laughs, but amid such dour pessimism comes a great comic sensibility, with moments of sparkling verve emerging out of the gloom.

The Guardian

It stars Peter Mullan (himself no bundle of laughs in the director's chair) as Joseph, a rage-filled drunk who stumbles into a charity shop staffed by Olivia Colman's Hannah, a middle-class woman with, it turns out, her own issues.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I've never had so many laughs, she was just a bundle of fun," he said.

BBC

A bundle of stinking rags and flesh".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bundle of laughs" to describe something that is either very funny or, ironically, not funny at all, depending on the context. The phrase often appears in negative constructions (e.g., "It wasn't a bundle of laughs").

Common error

Avoid using "a bundle of laughs" solely in positive contexts. Its strength lies in its versatility, often used ironically to highlight a lack of humor or enjoyment in a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bundle of laughs" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicative expression. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness, and examples show it describing the quality of someone or something. It can be used literally or ironically to convey amusement or lack thereof.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Music

10%

Film

5%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bundle of laughs" is a grammatically sound idiomatic expression commonly used to describe something that is either very funny or, ironically, not funny at all. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Primarily found in News & Media, it serves to express opinions about the funniness of situations. While versatile, remember to consider the potential for ironic usage to add depth to your writing. Alternatives such as "a barrel of laughs" or "hilarious" can be used for positive contexts, while "no laughing matter" better conveys the opposite. Therefore, choose your words according to the degree of funniness you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a barrel of laughs

Emphasizes the abundance and intensity of the amusement.

a scream

Similar to "a riot", implying extreme amusement.

a riot

Implies something extremely funny and chaotic.

a hoot

Suggests something very entertaining and funny.

hilarious

Directly describes something as very funny.

very amusing

A more formal way to describe something as funny.

not much fun

Expresses the opposite, indicating a lack of enjoyment.

no laughing matter

Indicates something serious and not to be joked about.

not a picnic

Implies a difficult or unpleasant experience.

hardly amusing

A more formal way to say something is not funny.

FAQs

How do you use "a bundle of laughs" in a sentence?

You can use "a bundle of laughs" to describe something very funny or sarcastically to describe something not funny at all. For example, "The comedian was a bundle of laughs" or "The meeting wasn't "a bundle of laughs"."

What's a similar expression to "a bundle of laughs"?

Similar expressions include "a barrel of laughs", "a riot", or "hilarious" when describing something funny. Conversely, if something is not funny, you could say it was "no laughing matter".

Is "a bundle of laughs" formal or informal?

"A bundle of laughs" is an informal, idiomatic expression. It's best suited for casual conversation or writing rather than formal or academic contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "a bundle of laughs" ironically?

It's appropriate to use "a bundle of laughs" ironically when you want to emphasize that something was not enjoyable or funny. For example, "Dealing with the insurance company wasn't "a bundle of laughs"."