biting joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "biting joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is sharp, cutting, or critical, often with a humorous edge. Example: "Her biting joke about the politician's blunders left the audience in stitches, but it also made them think."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Arellano pondered this for a moment, then launched into another biting joke: "There's a lot of liberals who hate Mexicans too.

Los Angeles Times

For starters, try smirking as you make a biting joke about someone to his or her face (in good fun, of course) or smirking as you list your own wonderful qualities.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

THE NEWS The comedian Ricky Gervais, master of ceremonies for the Golden Globe awards broadcast, delivered a series of biting jokes that drew uncomfortable titters from the audience.

The New York Times

At the media's biggest social event of the year, last month's White House Correspondents Associationn dinner, comedian Michelle Wolf made some biting jokes about the Trump administration.

The Washington Post

Black dresses, biting jokes, poignant acceptance speeches — all hitting on the same set of themes.

HuffPost

And here's Snoop Dogg with one of the most biting jokes of the night.

Huffington Post

And it's a ride worth taking, if only for the biting jokes.

Huffington Post

Youssef's biting jokes are a reflection of Egyptians' well-known sense of humor to overcome adversity.

Huffington Post

The event is one of the glitziest and most celebratory on the Hollywood calendar, and Fey and Poehler have earned high marks for their amusing and often biting jokes in their previous two years at the helm.

Los Angeles Times

During Monday's episode of Desus & Mero, the VICELAND hosts talked about comedian Michelle Wolf's biting jokes at the White House Correspondents Dinnerr and the immediate fallout, including angry tweets from TV personality Dennis Miller and President Trump.

Vice

Hopefully, we'll be getting a few personal stories from Jamil, too a lot of her biting jokes are punctuated by her spilling her own tea about why she developed whatever gripe she might be riffing on, with this latest tirade against diet products being a prime example.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "biting joke" to describe humor that is both funny and critical, often directed at a specific target. Ensure the audience understands the target of the joke for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "biting joke" when the audience may not understand the context or target of the humor. This can lead to the joke falling flat or being perceived as simply mean-spirited, rather than clever.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "biting joke" functions as a noun phrase, where "biting" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "joke". It describes a particular type of joke characterized by its sharp, critical, or sarcastic nature. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "biting joke" describes humor that is sharp, critical, and often directed at a specific target. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while analysis reveals its primary contexts in News & Media and Wiki. Though relatively infrequent, the phrase effectively conveys a joke's incisive nature. When employing "biting joke", writers should be mindful of audience perception and context, ensuring the humor is understood and appreciated rather than misconstrued. Related phrases such as "sarcastic quip" and "acerbic jest" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. Overall, "biting joke" is a useful descriptor for humor with a critical edge, provided it's used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sarcastic quip

Emphasizes the use of sarcasm in the joke.

sharp jest

Emphasizes the pointed and clever nature of the joke.

witty barb

Combines intelligence with a sharp, pointed criticism.

incisive wit

Highlights the sharp and insightful nature of the humor.

acerbic jest

Highlights the sharp and potentially caustic nature of the humor.

satirical jab

Highlights the use of satire to mock or criticize.

trenchant humor

Focuses on the keen and penetrating quality of the joke.

cutting remark

Focuses on the incisive and potentially hurtful quality of the joke.

caustic comment

Stresses the corrosive or severely critical nature of the statement.

dry humor

Underlines the understated and ironic delivery of the joke.

FAQs

How can I use "biting joke" in a sentence?

You can use "biting joke" to describe a sharp, critical, yet humorous statement. For example, "The comedian's "biting joke" about the company's policies drew gasps from the audience".

What is a synonym for "biting joke"?

Alternatives to "biting joke" include "sarcastic quip", "acerbic jest", or "cutting remark", each emphasizing different aspects of the humor.

Is "biting joke" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "biting joke" might be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "satirical comment".

What makes a joke "biting"?

A joke is considered "biting" when it is sharp, critical, and often aimed at a specific target, using humor to make a point or express disapproval. It's more than just funny; it has an edge.