crack a joke

USAGE SUMMARY

"crack a joke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone tells a joke. For example: "Let's lighten the mood - why don't you crack a joke?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He can crack a joke with practiced timing.

The New York Times

She would always crack a joke at the end.

The Guardian - Music

But sometimes, you have to remember that Banksy just likes to crack a joke".

Independent

In that instance, it was inappropriate for me to crack a joke".

The New York Times - Sports

"But when you get him alone, away from the cameras, he'll still crack a joke".

The New York Times - Sports

Shortly after Sept. 11, George W. Bush interrupted his inveighing against evildoers to crack a joke.

The New York Times

I can take a lot of abuse and still crack a joke".

The New Yorker

But can Iowans embrace a candidate who genuinely can't resist the temptation to crack a joke?

The Guardian

Ed Pilkington (@Edpilkington) HOLD THE FRONT PAGE: Julian Castro knows how to crack a joke.

The Guardian

"If this is treason, we are living in a society no one can dare crack a joke," she said.

The New York Times

Brookhiser posts there only once in a while, usually to crack a joke or draw attention to some historical footnote.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crack a joke" to describe a lighthearted attempt to introduce humor, especially in informal or tense situations. For example, "He tried to "crack a joke" to lighten the mood during the serious meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "crack a joke" in highly formal or serious contexts where a more sophisticated or respectful tone is required. Opt for phrases like "offer a humorous observation" or "make a lighthearted comment" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crack a joke" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of telling a joke. It is commonly used to describe someone attempting to introduce humor into a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crack a joke" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of telling or making a joke, often to lighten the mood or create amusement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, though primarily in informal contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. When in doubt, remember that while "crack a joke" is usually fine, more formal situations might call for alternatives like "offer a humorous observation". Keep in mind to use this expression carefully to bring fun in the conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tell a joke

Focuses on the act of narrating a joke, rather than the spontaneous delivery implied by "crack".

make a joke

A more general way to express the creation of a humorous remark.

quip

Implies a short, witty remark, often spontaneous.

utter a jest

More formal and emphasizes the playful nature of the remark.

joke around

Indicates a playful manner of speaking, including jokes, but not necessarily delivering a structured joke.

come up with a joke

Emphasizes the mental effort involved in creating a joke.

pun

Specifically refers to a joke that exploits the different possible meanings of a word.

launch into a joke

Implies suddenly starting to tell a joke.

break the ice

Refers to making a joke or comment to ease tension or create a more relaxed atmosphere.

deliver a punchline

Focuses on the culminating and humorous part of a joke.

FAQs

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

You can use "crack a joke" to describe the act of telling or making a joke, often to lighten the mood. For example, "She tried to "crack a joke" during the tense meeting." or "He often uses humor to "break the ice" by telling a joke.

What can I say instead of "crack a joke"?

You can use alternatives like "tell a joke", "make a joke", or "utter a jest" depending on the context.

Is "crack a joke" appropriate for formal writing?

While "crack a joke" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "offer a humorous remark" or "make a lighthearted comment".

What's the difference between "crack a joke" and "make a joke"?

"Crack a joke" often implies a spontaneous or quick delivery of a joke, while "make a joke" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily suggest the same level of spontaneity. For example, someone might "crack a joke" to relieve tension, but they could "make a joke" as part of a planned routine.