Tongue in cheek meaning! What is the definition of “tongue in cheek”? This lesson below will provide the meaning, origin & synonyms list of this idiom with ESL printable infographic and useful example sentences.
Tongue in Cheek Meaning
What Does Tongue in Cheek Mean?
- The idiom ‘tongue-in-cheek’ is used to imply that something is slyly humorous, ironic, jocular and intend to be understood as a joke, but with an act of being serious.
- The tone or the context of the statement may make it to be taken seriously by the listener.
Tongue in Cheek Origin
- The phrase has origins in 18th-century England, and it originally alludes to a common facial expression created by putting one’s tongue in one’s cheek and used to express contempt, but by 1842 had acquired its modern meaning.
- The ironic usage originates with the idea of suppressed mirth—biting one’s tongue to prevent an outburst of laughter.
- It may have been used to suppress laughter.
Example Sentences
- He gave a tongue-in-cheek explanation of why the sky was blue, offering a theory about some primordial discount on light blue paint.
- I love that kind of tongue-in-cheek wit.
- The offer was made almost tongue-in-cheek.
- Her latest play is a firmly tongue-in-cheek look at the world of advertising.
- I think he was talking tongue-in-cheek.
- Karen’s tongue-in-cheek interview was given half a page, and the Globe immediately asked her for more articles.
- The way I use them is slightly tongue-in-cheek.
- Corbett loved the brilliant logic delivered so tongue-in-cheek that only those who wished to take offence would be affronted.
- This is not a merely tongue-in-cheek reaction to such arguments as that of Meillassoux.
- This was said somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but there is a serious point to the question.
- Were they written tongue-in-cheek, or with an underlying conviction?
- This is all slightly tongue-in-cheek, I’d like to make that clear.
- It is the trick of the big-stage musical number but applied to circus with finesse and much tongue-in-cheek humour.
Tongue in Cheek Synonym
Tongue in Cheeck Synonyms List
Here is the list of synonyms for the expression “tongue in cheek” with useful example sentences in English:
- Ironic
- Joke
- Mockery
- Banter
- Dalliance
- Humorous
- Don’t make me laugh!
- Hilarity
- One-liner
- Waggish
- Wit
- Zany
Synonyms for Tongue in Cheek with Examples
Ironic
- The film is more of an ironic fantasy than a horror story.
Joke
- Her precision became a standing joke with colleagues.
Mockery
- There was mockery now in those piercing blue eyes.
Banter
- He considered himself a master of witty banter.
Humorous
- His humorous remark made everyone laugh.
Don’t make me laugh!
- You’ll pay? Don’t make me laugh!
Hilarity
- The announcement was greeted with much hilarity and mirth.
One-liner
- The book is witty and peppered with good one-liners.
Waggish
- He uses waggish humour to great effect.
Wit
- He was known for his sharp wit.
Zany
- Michael made us all laugh with his zany tricks.
Tongue in Cheek | Infographic
