feeble joke

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeble joke" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe a joke that wasn't particularly funny, for example, "I was disappointed by the comedian's feeble jokes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Instead, he chose to go for a feeble joke.

The Guardian

Just don't spoil the mood with a feeble joke about rumpy-pumpy.

The Guardian - Travel

"Some feeble joke is played out and the protagonist just happens to have no clothes on".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

No harm done then, a feeble joke, well below Duncanian standards, uttered and forgotten.

The Guardian

Idle entered the password-protected area of the site, determined it was a "feeble" joke and departed.

The New York Times

The prospect of making gains from an investment called a zero may sound like a feeble joke.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He cracked feeble jokes.

The New York Times - Books

I say nothing of the feeble jokes on "bee" and "be" and Pooh Bear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their weapons of choice were feeble jokes, verbal and visual puns, satiric publications and instructions for absurd performances.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Mir distributed a million of these feeble jokes (10,000 of each card) at the 2009 Venice Biennale.

The New York Times - Arts

And his modest humanness -- he peppers his soft speech with pauses and ums, chuckles at his own feeble jokes and fumbles with the eraser -- complements the message: that mathematical models and efficiency theory cannot explain the markets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feeble joke", ensure the context clearly indicates that the joke was intended to be humorous but failed to achieve its purpose. Avoid using it to describe unintentional humor or situations that are not intended to be jokes.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble joke" to describe situations or statements that are simply weak or ineffective but not intended as jokes. For example, a "feeble excuse" is different from a "feeble joke" because the former wasn't meant to be humorous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble joke" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'feeble' modifies the noun 'joke'. It serves to describe the quality or nature of the joke as being weak or ineffective. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Books

6%

Film

3%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeble joke" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a joke that is weak, ineffective, or unfunny. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is standard and widely understood. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to express a negative evaluation of humor attempts. While various alternatives like "weak joke" or "lame joke" exist, "feeble joke" carries a nuanced meaning of inadequacy rather than outright offensiveness or inappropriateness. Remember to use it accurately in contexts where humor is intended but falls short, and avoid applying it to situations that are simply weak but not meant to be jokes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak joke

Replaces "feeble" with a more common synonym, maintaining a similar level of criticism.

unfunny joke

Directly states the joke's lack of humor, leaving no room for interpretation.

lame joke

Suggests a joke that is uninspired and unoriginal, implying a lack of effort.

poor joke

Indicates a joke that is of low quality and fails to elicit laughter.

flat joke

Emphasizes the joke's failure to resonate or create any amusement.

pathetic joke

Adds a sense of pity or contempt to the description of the joke.

half-hearted joke

Implies the joke was delivered without enthusiasm or conviction.

failed attempt at humor

Shifts the focus to the unsuccessful effort to be funny, rather than the joke itself.

insipid joke

Emphasizes the joke's blandness and lack of originality.

tasteless joke

Describes a joke that is inappropriate or offensive, rather than simply unfunny.

FAQs

What does "feeble joke" mean?

A "feeble joke" refers to a joke that is weak, ineffective, and fails to elicit laughter. It suggests the joke is poorly constructed, lacks humor, or is delivered in an unengaging manner.

What can I say instead of "feeble joke"?

You can use alternatives like "weak joke", "lame joke", or "unfunny joke" to convey a similar meaning.

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

You might say, "The comedian's routine was filled with feeble jokes that didn't land with the audience" or "His attempt at humor fell flat with a feeble joke about current events."

Is it appropriate to call a joke "feeble"?

Yes, it is appropriate to describe a joke as "feeble" if you want to express that it was weak, unfunny, or ineffective. It's a common and understandable way to critique a joke's quality.