What does “Laugh up your sleeve” mean?
"Laugh up your sleeve" means to secretly find something amusing or funny.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He couldn't help but laugh up his sleeve when his friend tripped.
Example
She tried to laugh up her sleeve when her boss made a silly mistake.
Example
The comedian's jokes made the audience laugh up their sleeves throughout the show
Is “Laugh up your sleeve” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Laugh up your sleeve” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Laugh up your sleeve” effectively in context?
You can use "Laugh up your sleeve" to describe the act of secretly finding something amusing or funny. It implies that you are trying to hide your amusement from others. For example, if someone tells a joke that you find funny but you don't want to show it openly, you might "laugh up your sleeve".
- 1Social Gathering
He couldn't help but laugh up his sleeve when his friend tripped.
- 2Work
She tried to laugh up her sleeve when her boss made a silly mistake.
- 3Entertainment
The comedian's jokes made the audience laugh up their sleeves throughout the show.
Similar phrases to “Laugh up your sleeve”:
Crack up
To burst into laughter
Example
The joke was so funny that she cracked up.
Chuckle
To laugh quietly or inwardly
Example
He couldn't help but chuckle at the clever remark.
To smile in a smug or self-satisfied way
Example
She smirked when she heard the gossip about her rival.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Laugh up your sleeve” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Laugh up your sleeve" is unknown.
Is “Laugh up your sleeve” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Laugh up your sleeve" is not as common as some other idioms, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It may be more commonly used in informal settings or among friends and family.
What tone does “Laugh up your sleeve” have?
"Laugh up your sleeve" conveys a tone of amusement and secrecy. It suggests that you find something funny but are trying to hide your laughter from others.
Can “Laugh up your sleeve” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Laugh up your sleeve" is generally considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations rather than formal settings. It may be used among friends, family, or colleagues in a relaxed environment.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Laugh up your sleeve" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He couldn't help but laugh up his sleeve when his friend tripped.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "laugh up your sleeve"!' to imply finding something amusing secretly.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- find something amusing secretly
- suppress laughter
- conceal amusement
- hide a smile
Antonyms
- laugh out loud
- show amusement openly
- express laughter
- roar with laughter
