jest with

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?

See also: jest

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

jest with someone

to joke with someone; to try to fool someone. Surely you are jesting with me. Don't jest with me!

See also: jest

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.