The phrase "tickled to death" is spelled using the phonetic symbols /ˈtɪkl̩d tə dɛθ/. The "t" in "tickled" is pronounced with a light touch, followed by a short "i" sound and a final "k" sound. The "ed" at the end is pronounced as a separate syllable with a soft "d" sound. The word "death" is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a voiced "th" sound, which is pronounced by sticking out the tongue between the teeth while exhaling. The phrase means to be extremely amused or delighted.
The phrase "tickled to death" is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe an extreme feeling of amusement or delight. It conveys the notion of being so overwhelmingly amused that one's joyous reaction is likened to being tickled to the point of death, although, of course, this is merely a figurative understanding.
When someone is said to be "tickled to death", it means they find something incredibly funny or entertaining, leading to a euphoric state. It implies that the individual is experiencing intense pleasure and cannot contain their joy, often resulting in laughter and a sense of giddiness.
The phrase can be used in various contexts to describe the extent of happiness or delight one experiences. While it is usually meant metaphorically, it encompasses the idea that an exaggerated level of amusement is sufficient to cause one's demise if taken literally.
The expression "tickled to death" is a light-hearted and colloquial way to convey great amusement or satisfaction. It is commonly used in informal conversations, anecdotes, or stories to emphasize a person's extreme delight, almost to the point of being overwhelmed by the amusement they are experiencing.