Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

take a joke

Idioms  
  1. Accept teasing at one's own expense, as in Sam really couldn't take a joke. This idiom, often put negatively, was first recorded in 1780. Also see take it.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In reality, she was dealing with a short-tempered narcissist who cannot take a joke.

From Salon May 1, 2023

All the target has to do is understand that; she just needs to lighten up, take a joke, accept the compliment, grasp the lesson.

From Slate Apr. 21, 2023

Lawyers for the toy’s maker, Arizona-based VIP Products, told the high court that Jack Daniel’s can’t take a joke.

From Seattle Times Nov. 21, 2022

The actual dress shoes awaited the linemen at their airplane seats; Manning knew just how far to take a joke.

From New York Times Dec. 27, 2019

“You must learn to take a joke, Francie, otherwise life will be pretty hard on you.”

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training