crack a joke

Idioms  

1. Make a joke, say something humorous, as in You can count on Grandpa to crack a joke on every occasion. This expression uses the verb to crack in the now obsolete sense of “briskly pronounce” or “boast.” [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crack a joke

"I also saw his humour -- he was a very funny man. He would suddenly crack a joke at the most unexpected moment".

From Barron's ● May 10, 2026

As we talked, surrounded by tough-looking men in leather jackets, boots and jeans, I attempted to crack a joke that fell flat.

From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026

He rose through the ranks quickly, thanks in part to his personality; he can be firm and direct one moment, and crack a joke at his own expense the next.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025

But Mark Morris, saucy and never shy to crack a joke, has done just that with his world premiere set to Bach’s Partita No. 3 in A minor.

From New York Times ● Aug. 9, 2023

Then she pointed at Krystal, who was already fixing her mouth to crack a joke.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds