take a poke at somebody/something
(redirected from take a poke at something)take a poke at (someone or something)
1. To punch or attempt to punch someone or something. He wouldn't quit mouthing off, so I went over and took a poke at him. Jessie got so drunk that she actually took a poke at the statue on Main Street. I think she busted up her hand, too.
2. To criticize, mock, or deride someone or something. Everyone in the media like to take a poke at the president's goofy hair and eccentric persona, but he actually has very sound political ideas if you look into the details of his plans. Mary's always taking a poke at me for dating a guy 10 years younger than me, but I think she's just secretly jealous.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
take a poke at
Hit with one's fist, as in If you don't quit teasing I'll take a poke at you. [Colloquial; c. 1930]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
take a ˈpoke at somebody/something
(old-fashioned, American English, informal) make an unkind remark about somebody/something; laugh at somebody/something: Then he took a poke at my hair, telling me I looked like a scarecrow!Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017