make a witty remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a witty remark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of saying something clever or humorous in conversation or writing. Example: "During the meeting, she managed to make a witty remark that lightened the mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When the painter James McNeil Whistler (1834 1903) made a witty remark in the hearing of the writer Oscar Wilde (1854 1900) and Wilde said, "I wish I'd said that," Whistler replied "You will, Oscar.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

They'd say, 'Harvey pees in his car.' Once my best friend made an admittedly witty remark about my name.

The Guardian - Books

Whatever in conversation does not make sense to her in plain, human terms she will quickly dismiss with a witty remark.

The New Yorker

As a comparison, is it possible to imagine any commentator under any circumstances quoting a witty remark of Hitler's?

The New Yorker

Everyone becomes distilled down to a hot body or a witty remark and the totality of the person is lost.

Huffington Post

The missed opportunity for a witty remark and the dismissed gut twinge that provided that imminent smack down in quick time.

Huffington Post

Often colloquially called "educational memes", a mem could really be a photo, GIF, mnemonic, video, cartoon, example sentence, etymology or even a witty remark.

WikiHow

Look, your friend just made a witty joke about their burnt toast!

TechCrunch

In which, say, they rear-end you on the 405, and you're pissed, like, really pissed, but when you get out of your car to assess the damage, you realize that they have the same bone structure as the actor you've always had a crush on, and that their voice is like a song as they make some witty remark while you exchange numbers.

The New Yorker

She recognises that this is far more than a cocktail-stick comedy in which two married couples make piercingly witty remarks to one another.

The Guardian

Baugh was known to make blunt, witty remarks.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "make a witty remark", ensure it aligns with the context and audience to avoid misinterpretation. Timing is key for effective wit.

Common error

Avoid attempting to "make a witty remark" without considering your audience's values and prior knowledge. A remark that is considered witty by one audience may be offensive or incomprehensible to another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a witty remark" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of delivering a clever or humorous comment. It is used to describe someone's ability or tendency to say something witty. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a witty remark" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of delivering a clever or humorous comment. Analysis performed with Ludwig reveals its usage across various contexts, including news, media, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is relatively neutral in register, its appropriateness depends heavily on the situation and audience. Several alternatives exist, such as "utter a clever quip" or "offer a droll observation", which can be used to subtly shift the nuance of the expression. According to Ludwig, users should be mindful of their audience when attempting to "make a witty remark", as what one person finds funny, another may find offensive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter a clever quip

Replaces "make" with "utter" and uses "quip" instead of "remark", implying a short, sharp, and clever comment.

offer a droll observation

Substitutes "make" with "offer" and "witty remark" with "droll observation", suggesting a dry and amusing comment.

deliver a humorous line

Changes "make" to "deliver" and "witty remark" to "humorous line", focusing on the comedic aspect.

voice a smart rejoinder

Replaces "make" with "voice" and "witty remark" with "smart rejoinder", emphasizing a quick and intelligent response.

express a sharp witticism

Substitutes "make" with "express" and "witty remark" with "sharp witticism", highlighting the clever and pointed nature of the comment.

throw out a clever comment

Uses "throw out" instead of "make", implying a casual delivery of the clever comment.

come up with a funny line

Focuses on the creation of the funny comment, rather than the delivery, with a bit more casual approach to the action.

crack a joke

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct and informal term for making a humorous comment.

quip

Replaces the entire phrase, simplifying the action to a single verb.

joke

A more general and simple alternative to the query.

FAQs

How can I "make a witty remark" in a conversation?

To "make a witty remark", listen carefully to the conversation, identify an opportunity for a clever or humorous observation, and deliver it concisely and with good timing. Be mindful of your audience and the context to ensure your remark is well-received.

What's the difference between "utter a clever quip" and "make a witty remark"?

"Make a witty remark" is a general phrase for saying something clever. "Utter a clever quip" implies a more concise and often sharp or sarcastic comment.

When is it appropriate to "make a witty remark"?

It's appropriate to "make a witty remark" in relaxed or informal settings where humor is appreciated. Avoid using witty remarks in serious or sensitive situations, where they could be perceived as inappropriate or disrespectful.

What are some alternatives to "make a witty remark"?

Some alternatives to "make a witty remark" include "offer a droll observation", "deliver a humorous line", or simply "quip", depending on the context and desired level of formality.