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

He’d tell a related story, crack a joke and complain about his golf game.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

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

Those who work with "Santi" describe him as an extrovert and fan of motorbikes and hunting, who likes to crack a joke but is serious about his work.

From Reuters • Jul. 17, 2023

I got to still be able to crack a joke that comes through the camera to the people at the crib.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2023

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

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds