tickle (redirected from tickles)

tickle someone's fancy

to interest someone; to make someone curious. I have an interesting problem here that I think will tickle your fancy. This doesn't tickle my fancy at all. This is dull and boring.

See also: fancy

tickle someone pink

Fig. to please or entertain someone very much. Bill told a joke that really tickled us all pink. I know that these flowers will tickle her pink.

See also: pink

tickle someone to death 

1. Fig. to tickle someone a great deal. Bobby nearly tickled Tim to death. Tim was left breathless. We got him down and tickled him to death.

2. and tickle someone to pieces Fig. to please someone a great deal. (See also tickle someone pink.) What you told her just tickled her to death! That story just tickles me to pieces.

See also: death

tickle the ivories

to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice. She sat down to tickle the ivories for a while.

See also: ivory

tickled pink

Fig. very much pleased or entertained. I was tickled pink to have you visit us. We were tickled pink when your flowers arrived.

See also: pink

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be tickled pink/to death  (old-fashioned)

to be extremely pleased about something Val was tickled pink when Susan asked her to be bridesmaid at her wedding.

See also: death, pink

slap and tickle  (mainly British old-fashioned, humorous)

sexual activity that is not serious They were having a bit of slap and tickle on the sofa when I walked in.

See also: and, slap

take/tickle somebody's fancy  (informal)

if something takes someone's fancy, they suddenly think it seems interesting She's got enough money to buy whatever takes her fancy.

See also: fancy, take

tickle/tinkle the ivories  (humorous)

to play the piano

Usage notes: The parts of a piano that you press to play it used to be made of a hard white substance called ivory.

Grandma could tickle the ivories like a professional.

See also: ivory

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tickle the ivories

to play the piano She writes and produces her own music, and also tickles the ivories on her new album.

Usage notes: usually refers to playing the piano informally rather than in a concert

Etymology: from the literal meaning of ivories (piano keys)

See also: ivory

tickled to death (spoken)

very pleased We were tickled to death that she finally got the Tony award for best actress.

See also: death