LAUGH OFF Meaning and
Definition
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To "laugh off" is a phrasal verb that refers to dismissing or disregarding something perceived as troubling, negative, or embarrassing by responding with laughter or amusement. It involves using humor as a defense mechanism to downplay or minimize the significance or impact of a situation or comment.
When someone laughs off a particular event or remark, they choose not to take it seriously and respond with amusement rather than becoming offended or upset. This can be a way of maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere or avoiding conflict. By laughing off something, individuals can minimize its negative effects on themselves or others.
Laughing off often involves making light of a situation or making humorous remarks to deflect attention or to indicate that the matter is not worth serious consideration. It can also serve as a coping mechanism in uncomfortable or awkward situations, allowing individuals to alleviate tension or embarrassment through laughter.
However, it is essential to note that laughter should not always be seen as a genuine dismissal or disregard of real issues. Sometimes, people may laugh off a matter as a way to toughen themselves or suppress their genuine emotional response. Hence, it is crucial to consider the context and individual when interpreting the act of laughing off.
Common Misspellings for LAUGH OFF
- kaugh off
- paugh off
- oaugh off
- lzugh off
- lsugh off
- lwugh off
- lqugh off
- laygh off
- lahgh off
- lajgh off
- laigh off
- la8gh off
- la7gh off
- lauth off
Etymology of LAUGH OFF
The word "laugh off" is a phrasal verb composed of two elements: "laugh" and "off".
The word "laugh" can be traced back to the Old English "hleahhan", which is similar to the Old High German "hlahhan" and the Gothic "hlahjan". These roots ultimately come from the Proto-Germanic word "*hlahjanan", indicating the sound of laughter.
The addition of the word "off" serves as a particle that changes or intensifies the meaning of the verb "laugh". In this case, "off" suggests a dismissal or a lack of seriousness, as if the laughter is being used to downplay or shrug off something.
Therefore, the etymology of "laugh off" can be understood as originating from the Old English verb for laughter, combined with the particle "off" to indicate a response of not taking something seriously.
Idioms with the word LAUGH OFF
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laugh off the stage
The idiom "laugh off the stage" refers to a situation where someone or something is able to entertain or amuse a group of people to such an extent that they are greatly amused and show their appreciation through laughter, often to the point where the person or thing being laughed at or with gains overwhelming approval or becomes the center of attention. It implies a superior level of comedic skill or performance that captivates the audience and surpasses other acts or performers present on the same stage.
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laugh off sth
When someone "laughs off something," it means they dismiss or reject it in a lighthearted or carefree manner, often using humor as a way to minimize its importance or impact. They might not take the situation seriously or choose to make light of it to avoid getting upset or concerned.
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laugh off
To dismiss or minimize something as unimportant or trivial by responding with laughter or humor.
Conjugate verb Laugh off
CONDITIONAL
I
would laugh off
you
would laugh off
he/she/it
would laugh off
we
would laugh off
they
would laugh off
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be laughing off
you
would be laughing off
he/she/it
would be laughing off
we
would be laughing off
they
would be laughing off
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have laugh off
you
would have laugh off
he/she/it
would have laugh off
we
would have laugh off
they
would have laugh off
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been laughing off
you
would have been laughing off
he/she/it
would have been laughing off
we
would have been laughing off
they
would have been laughing off
FUTURE
I
will laugh off
you
will laugh off
he/she/it
will laugh off
we
will laugh off
they
will laugh off
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be laughing off
you
will be laughing off
he/she/it
will be laughing off
we
will be laughing off
they
will be laughing off
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have laughed off
you
will have laughed off
he/she/it
will have laughed off
we
will have laughed off
they
will have laughed off
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been laughing off
you
will have been laughing off
he/she/it
will have been laughing off
we
will have been laughing off
they
will have been laughing off
IMPERATIVE
you
laugh off
we
let´s laugh off
to laugh off
PAST
I
laughed off
you
laughed off
he/she/it
laughed off
we
laughed off
they
laughed off
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was laughing off
you
were laughing off
he/she/it
was laughing off
we
were laughing off
they
were laughing off
PAST PARTICIPLE
laughed off
PAST PERFECT
I
had laughed off
you
had laughed off
he/she/it
had laughed off
we
had laughed off
they
had laughed off
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been laughing off
you
had been laughing off
he/she/it
had been laughing off
we
had been laughing off
they
had been laughing off
PRESENT
I
laugh off
you
laugh off
he/she/it
laughs off
we
laugh off
they
laugh off
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am laughing off
you
are laughing off
he/she/it
is laughing off
we
are laughing off
they
are laughing off
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
laughing off
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have laughed off
you
have laughed off
he/she/it
has laughed off
we
have laughed off
they
have laughed off
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been laughing off
you
have been laughing off
he/she/it
has been laughing off
we
have been laughing off
they
have been laughing off
