Definition

Verb: * To dismiss or minimize something serious, embarrassing, or negative by treating it with laughter or humor; to act as if a problem, criticism, or awkward situation is not important by making a joke of it.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used when someone responds to a difficulty, insult, or mistake not with anger or concern, but with laughter, suggesting it does not bother them or is unimportant. It often implies resilience or an attempt to save face.

Examples

• Verb:
  • When they criticized his idea, he just laughed it off and continued with his presentation.
  • She tripped on stage but managed to laugh off the embarrassment.
  • You can't just laugh off feedback from your boss; you should take it seriously.

Advanced Usage

• "to laugh something off": The object (the problem or criticism) can be placed between "laugh" and "off." When using a pronoun (it, them), it go in this position.
  • Correct: He laughed the comment off. / He laughed it off.
  • Less common: He laughed off the comment.

Variants and Related Words

• Brush off (phrasal verb): To dismiss or ignore someone or something casually.
  • He brushed off their concerns.
• Shrug off (phrasal verb): To treat something as unimportant or easy to handle.
  • She shrugged off the injury and kept playing.

Synonyms

• Dismiss with laughter
• Make light of
• Joke away

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Laugh away: A less common variant with a very similar meaning to "laugh off."
  • She tried to laugh away her nerves before the speech.

Verb

1. deal with a problem by laughing or pretending to be amused by it
   • She laughs away all these problems