take a joke

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

“Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.”

From Salon

“We as conservatives need to be able to take a joke,” he told Fox in late July.

From Los Angeles Times

“We as conservatives should be able to take a joke; we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously.”

From Salon

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that Catholic leaders railing against Trump's post "can't take a joke" and accused "the fake news media" of lying about reactions from the church.

From Salon

I like people who have a little bit of a little devil in them, who can also be a little bit naughty, and they can take a joke.

From Los Angeles Times