joke (redirected from jokiness)

be no joke

if a situation is no joke, it is very serious or very difficult. There are two of us here, trying to do the work of four people - it's no joke.

get/go beyond a joke

if a situation gets beyond a joke, it becomes extremely serious and worrying. He's drunk more nights than he's sober these days - this has gone beyond a joke.

See also: beyond

the joke's on someone

something that you say which means someone who tried to make other people seem silly has made themselves seem silly instead. The burglars managed to lock themselves into the house until the police arrived, so the joke's on them!

You must be joking! (informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone you do not think something they have said is serious because it is not likely to be true or to happen. 'Did Alex get you a present, then?' 'You must be joking! He didn't even remember it was my birthday.'

See also: must

You're joking! (informal)

something that you say when you are very surprised by what someone has just told you. 'They're getting married, you know' 'You're joking! They've only known each other a month.'

See also: you're

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no joke

a serious matter. It's no joke when a virus eats your computer files.

no laughing matter

play a joke (on someone)

to do something that makes someone look foolish. Richard called and said I had won ten thousand dollars, and it took me a second to realize he was playing a joke on me.

See also: play

take a joke

to accept it with good humor when others make fun of you. He has a great sense of humor and isn't so self-important that he can't take a joke.

Usage notes: usually used in the negative

See also: take