laughing

be laughing all the way to the bank (informal)

if someone is laughing all the way to the bank, they have made a lot of money very easily, often because someone else has been stupid. If we don't take this opportunity, you can be sure our competitors will and they'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

See also: all, bank, laugh, way

be laughing on the other side of your face (British, American & Australian, informal, American & Australian, informal)

if you say someone who is happy will be laughing on the other side of their face, you are angry about the thing that is making them happy and think that something will soon happen to upset them. You'll be laughing out of the other side of your face if you fail your exams.

See also: face, laugh, other, side

be laughing up your sleeve

to laugh at someone secretly, often in an unkind way. He persuaded people to believe in him and all the time he was laughing up his sleeve at them. (often + at)

See also: laugh, sleeve

be no laughing matter

if a subject is no laughing matter, it is serious and not something that people should make jokes about. Haemorrhoids are all very funny when other people have them, but if you get them yourself, it's no laughing matter.

See also: laugh, matter

bust a gut (informal)

to work very hard or to make a big effort to achieve something. I really bust a gut to get that report finished on time.

See also: bust, gut

bust a gut (laughing) (informal)

to laugh a lot. I bust a gut laughing at his imitation of the Queen.

See also: bust, gut

a laughing stock

someone who does something very stupid which makes other people laugh at them. I can't cycle around on that old thing! I'll be the laughing stock of the neighbourhood. (usually + of)

See also: laugh, stock

split your sides (laughing)

to laugh a lot at something. We nearly split our sides laughing watching Paul trying to give the rabbit a bath.

See also: side, split

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bust a gut

1. to work very hard to achieve something. It's kind of sad to see these kids bust a gut chasing a dream that will never succeed.

2. to laugh very energetically. I busted a gut reading that essay.

Etymology: based on the idea that extremely hard physical work or laughter could damage your gut (= stomach)

See also: bust, gut