joke it off

USAGE SUMMARY

"joke it off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that you are either trying to make light of a situation or that you are not taking something seriously. For example, "We were worried about the project, but we decided to just joke it off and keep going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a more recent suicide bombing in Islamabad, at a bank in 2011, but by and large that city of leafy streets, wide avenues and spacious villas has remained, as the joke has it, "20 minutes' drive from Pakistan".Which is exactly how Pakistan's ruling elite has hoped to keep it.

The Economist

In her recent Elle cover story, she joked it took "13 dates" to get her into bed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Updated at 11.11am GMT 10.31am GMT We have our first joke! plotz84 26 March 2014 9 18am Q.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And like so many bad jokes, it started on 4chan.

Vice

"And as far as the power that it takes," Ms. Campbell said, "I joke about it — it really is 100 watts.

The New York Times

A few hours before the vice president was to deliver his address, an aide, Laura Quinn, joked, "It's in draft 625".

The New York Times

Despite his late night — according to E! News, the actor once joked "it was definitely not 5 45 in the morning" when he was arrested — Hammer somehow manages to pull off his popped collar, almost perfectly coiffed hair, slight grin and unbuttoned shirt.

Huffington Post

"We pull out of Marina del Rey and, I'm not joking, it's like standing waves, 30 feet high.

The New York Times

"We build a completely awesome box castle in our front yard for our kids to play in and we get a notice from code enforcement?!? 'Waste material or junk,' it says … what about totally awesome fun zone … what a joke!!!" Within 24 hours, it had been shared more than 1,000 times.

Los Angeles Times

("The name is a joke because it takes 12 hours to cook," Ms. Walton said as she pulled the pudding from the beehive oven).

The New York Times

The curators of an excellent Tati exhibition at the Cinémathèque in Paris joke that it is 102 years since the film-maker's birth: the imperfect, perfect moment to celebrate the centenary of a character who specialised in making clumsy, abrupt entr-ances in his own movies.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "joke it off" when you want to convey a lighthearted or dismissive attitude towards a potentially serious topic. It implies using humor as a coping mechanism or to avoid dwelling on negative aspects.

Common error

Be cautious when using "joke it off" in sensitive situations, as it can come across as insensitive or dismissive of genuine concerns. Ensure the context is appropriate for humor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "joke it off" functions as a phrasal verb indicating an action of using humor to dismiss or downplay something. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests an attempt to make light of a situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "joke it off" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of using humor to dismiss or downplay something serious. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English, primarily in neutral to informal contexts. While it can be an effective way to lighten the mood or cope with difficult situations, it's important to be mindful of the context and avoid trivializing serious issues. Alternatives such as "laugh it away" or "make light of it" offer similar meanings, but may carry slightly different connotations. The phrase's frequency is considered rare, but its appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability in mainstream media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make light of it

Emphasizes reducing the seriousness of a situation through humor or flippancy.

laugh it away

Focuses on using laughter as a means of coping or dismissing something.

play it down with a joke

Suggests minimizing the importance of something by introducing a joke.

humorously dismiss it

Directly states the act of dismissing something in a humorous manner.

brush it off with humor

Highlights the act of dismissing something specifically through the use of humor.

deflect with humor

Highlights the use of humor to avoid or redirect attention from a serious issue.

soften it with comedy

Focuses on using comedy to make a situation less harsh or serious.

downplay it with a quip

Highlights minimizing something's importance using a witty remark.

take it lightly with jokes

Indicates a casual or unserious approach accompanied by jokes.

counter with a jest

Suggests responding to a situation with a playful or humorous remark.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "joke it off" in a sentence?

Use "joke it off" to describe the act of deflecting seriousness with humor. For example, "Instead of addressing the problem directly, they tried to "make light of it" and joke it off."

What are some alternatives to "joke it off" that maintain a similar meaning?

Similar phrases include "laugh it away", "brush it off with humor", or "make light of it", all suggesting a humorous way to handle a situation.

Is it appropriate to use "joke it off" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "joke it off" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "soften it with comedy" or "humorously dismiss it" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "joke it off" and "ignore it"?

"Joke it off" implies addressing a situation with humor to lessen its impact, while "ignore it" suggests completely disregarding the issue. Joking it off is an active, albeit lighthearted, response, whereas ignoring it is passive.