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

"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

Mallory was named “most serious player” although she also knows when to crack a joke to relieve the tension in a tight match.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2023

He thought he looked sharp until an older man stopped to crack a joke.

From New York Times • Sep. 6, 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

I could put on an interesting outfit, crack a joke, and talk about sodium content in kids’ meals without being totally boring.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama