in jest
For fun; as a joke; without sincerity. I know your remarks were only in jest, but they still hurt my feelings. Oh, come on, I only made the comment in jest. You need to lighten up! It may have been said in jest, but that doesn't make it less offensive.
it's ill jesting with edged tools
proverb Casually engaging with dangerous people or things is likely to cause harm. You're right, I don't speed when I'm driving in the rain, not even a little bit. That's because my mom taught me that it's ill jesting with edged tools. You're picking fights with known gang members, Tom. I know you're a tough guy and all, but it's ill jesting with edged tools.
jest about (someone or something)
To make joking, witty, or amusing remarks about or at the expense of someone or something. If people could only hear the way those snobbish politicians jested about the economic crisis at the gala event. There would be a revolution, I tell you! Several employees were jesting about the new manager in the break room.
jest at (someone or something)
To make mocking, teasing, or jeering remarks about or at the expense of someone or something. Everyone had been jesting at the dire future of the company, never expecting it to actually go under. The members of the royal court jested at the prisoner as he pleaded for his life before the king.
jest with (one)
1. To tease or make fun of one in a playful manner. The kitchen was filled with the raucous sound of everyone jesting with one another over dinner. Jesting with my friends has always been my way of showing them affection.
2. To attempt to fool one in a mocking or condescending manner. Often used as a rhetorical question or statement by the person at the receiving end. A: "I'm afraid we will need another $10,000 to finish the project." B: "Are you jesting with me? What on earth happened to all the money we've already invested?" They must be jesting with us. Who do they think they're dealing with?
many a true word is spoken in jest
proverb The things that one jokes about may in fact be true or become true. I know she said she was joking about being depressed, but I'm concerned—many a true word is spoken in jest. A: "Oh come one, I was only joking! I would never do something like that!" B: "So you say, but many a true word is spoken in jest."
many a truth is said in jest
proverb The things that one jokes about may in fact be or become true. I know she said she was joking about being depressed, but I'm concerned—many a truth is said in jest. A: "Oh, come on, I was only joking! I would never do something like that!" B: "So you say, but many a truth is said in jest."
surely you jest
You must be joking. Surely you jest! I know there's a lot of oddball fields that are crazy lucrative, but I'm pretty sure selling bees as pets isn't one of them. We're getting bonuses this year? Ha, surely you jest.
there's many a true word spoken in jest
The things that one jokes about may in fact be true or become true. I know she said she was joking about being depressed, but I'm concerned—there's many a true word spoken in jest.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
jest about someone or something
to make jokes about someone or something. There is no need to jest about Lady Bracknell. I wish you would not jest about that.
jest at someone or something
to make fun of someone or something. Please don't jest at my cousin. Is someone jesting at my hairdo?
jest with someone
to joke with someone; to try to fool someone. Surely you are jesting with me. Don't jest with me!
Many a true word is spoken in jest.
and There's many a true word spoken in jest.Prov. Just because something is said as a joke, it can still be true. Fred: Why did you make a joke about my being stingy? Do you really think I'm cheap? Ellen: Of course not, don't be silly. It was just a joke. Fred: But many a true word is spoken in jest.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.