The spelling of the phrase "laugh away" is consistent with the phonetic transcription /læf əweɪ/. The "a" sound in "laugh" is pronounced as a short vowel sound, represented phonetically as /æ/. The word "away" has the same sound as "a" in "cat," which is also a short vowel sound, designated phonetically as /ə/. The combination of these two sounds is represented in writing as the two words "laugh away." Overall, the spelling of "laugh away" accurately mirrors its phonetic transcription.
The term "laugh away" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of dismissing or shrugging off something, often a problem, issue, or concern, with laughter or amusement. It implies a lighthearted response to a matter that is considered insignificant, trite, or not worth serious attention. When one "laughs away" a problem, they choose to respond to it with humor, finding amusement or comic relief in the situation rather than addressing it seriously.
The phrase can also imply a deliberate attempt to minimize the significance or impact of something through laughter. By using humor or laughter, individuals may choose to downplay the seriousness of an issue, divert attention from it, or make it seem less important than it actually is. In some instances, people may adopt this approach as a coping mechanism or to avoid dealing with underlying emotions.
"Laugh away" can also be used to describe the action of dismissing criticism or negative comments through laughter. It suggests that the person being criticized responds by laughing or making light of the criticism, refusing to take it seriously or allowing it to affect them emotionally. This expression may be used as a defense mechanism to maintain self-confidence and protect one's ego.
Overall, the phrase "laugh away" conveys a sense of using laughter to brush off, diminish, or deflect attention from an issue, problem, or criticism.
The phrase "laugh away" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of the word "laugh" and the adverb "away". "Laugh" can be traced back to the Old English word "hlæhhan", which is similar in various Germanic languages. The adverb "away" has origins in the Old English word "onweg", meaning "from this (that) place or time". When used together, "laugh away" simply means to dismiss or disregard something by laughing at it.