55+ Idioms For Funny: Rare Expressions For Laughter

Humor comes alive when language paints pictures, and idioms are one of the quickest ways to spark that magic. Instead of simply saying something is funny, idioms let us describe laughter with color and imagination. These expressions add rhythm, charm, and personality to everyday conversations, making even ordinary chatter feel vibrant and memorable. Funny idioms often rely on playful exaggeration or quirky imagery to turn simple ideas into moments of delight.

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What Are Idioms for Funny?

Idioms for funny are playful expressions used to describe humor, laughter, or something amusing in a creative way. Instead of directly saying something is funny, these idioms paint a vivid picture. They rely on figurative language to make descriptions more lively, helping conversations feel more colorful, natural, and expressive. In short, idioms for funny turn ordinary humor into memorable moments of imagination.

Commonly Used Idioms for Funny

Crack someone up
Meaning: Make someone laugh a lot.
Example: His silly dance cracked everyone up.
Have someone in stitches
Meaning: Make someone laugh uncontrollably.
Example: The comedian had the whole audience in stitches.
Laugh your head off
Meaning: Laugh very hard.
Example: We laughed our heads off at that video.
A barrel of laughs
Meaning: Something or someone very amusing.
Example: Hanging out with Sam is always a barrel of laughs.
Tickle your funny bone
Meaning: Make you laugh or feel amused.
Example: That joke really tickled my funny bone.
Laugh like a drain
Meaning: Laugh loudly and freely.
Example: He laughed like a drain at the punchline.
Burst out laughing
Meaning: Suddenly start laughing.
Example: She burst out laughing when she saw the meme.
Fall about laughing
Meaning: Laugh so hard you almost fall.
Example: We fell about laughing after he messed up the line.
A real knee-slapper
Meaning: Something extremely funny.
Example: That story he told was a real knee-slapper.
Comedy gold
Meaning: Something hilariously brilliant.
Example: Her sarcastic reply was pure comedy gold.
Roll on the floor laughing
Meaning: Laugh so hard you can’t stay on your feet.
Example: The kids were rolling on the floor laughing.
Split your sides
Meaning: Laugh very hard.
Example: His impressions made me split my sides.
A laugh a minute
Meaning: Very funny or entertaining nonstop.
Example: That show is a laugh a minute.
Joke’s on you
Meaning: The humorous twist is against someone.
Example: He tried to prank me, but the joke was on him.
Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: Tease or joke with someone.
Example: I’m just pulling your leg, don’t take it seriously.
Laugh like a hyena
Meaning: Laugh loudly or wildly.
Example: She laughed like a hyena at the joke.
Crack a joke
Meaning: Tell a funny remark.
Example: He cracked a joke during the meeting.
Make a clown of yourself
Meaning: Act silly or funny.
Example: He made a clown of himself on stage.
Lighten up
Meaning: Stop being serious; find humor.
Example: Lighten up, it’s just a joke!
As funny as a circus
Meaning: Very entertaining or amusing.
Example: The birthday party was as funny as a circus.
Be the joke of the town
Meaning: Be laughed at by many.
Example: After his costume mishap, he was the joke of the town.
Crack a smile
Meaning: Show slight amusement.
Example: Even he cracked a smile at the joke.
Laugh it off
Meaning: Brush off something by treating it humorously.
Example: He laughed off the embarrassing moment.
A comic relief
Meaning: Something that lightens a serious situation.
Example: His jokes were comic relief during the tension.
Laugh up your sleeve
Meaning: Hide your laughter secretly.
Example: She laughed up her sleeve as the trick worked.
Like a joke
Meaning: Ridiculously funny or absurd.
Example: His excuse sounded like a joke.
Laughing stock
Meaning: Someone everyone laughs at.
Example: The failed stunt made him the laughing stock.
Burst into giggles
Meaning: Start laughing in a cute or soft way.
Example: The kids burst into giggles.
Crack wise
Meaning: Make clever or sarcastic jokes.
Example: He kept cracking wise during class.
The giggles
Meaning: Uncontrollable, repeated laughter.
Example: She got the giggles during the speech.
Send someone into hysterics
Meaning: Make someone laugh wildly.
Example: His parody sent us into hysterics.
Witty as ever
Meaning: Cleverly funny.
Example: Her comments were witty as ever.
A laugh riot
Meaning: Extremely funny event or person.
Example: The entire show was a laugh riot.
Laugh like there’s no tomorrow
Meaning: Laugh without restraint.
Example: We laughed like there was no tomorrow.
Play the clown
Meaning: Act silly or funny for entertainment.
Example: He loves playing the clown at parties.
Gag reel
Meaning: Funny mistakes or bloopers.
Example: The movie’s gag reel was funnier than the film.
Comic timing
Meaning: The perfect timing for humor.
Example: His comic timing is flawless.
Dry humor
Meaning: Humor delivered in a serious tone.
Example: His dry humor always catches people off guard.
Be a joker
Meaning: A naturally funny person.
Example: He’s always been a joker in the group.
Laugh like a kid
Meaning: Laugh freely and joyfully.
Example: I laughed like a kid at the prank.
Punchline hit
Meaning: The final funny part of a joke works.
Example: The punchline hit perfectly.
Crack the crowd
Meaning: Make an entire group laugh.
Example: His opening joke cracked the crowd.
Comic spark
Meaning: A touch of humor.
Example: Her comic spark brightened the dull meeting.
Witty comeback
Meaning: Funny or clever response.
Example: She fired back with a witty comeback.
Laugh out loud
Meaning: Laugh openly and loudly.
Example: The comment made me laugh out loud.
Laugh to yourself
Meaning: Laugh quietly.
Example: He laughed to himself at the memory.
Too funny for words
Meaning: Extremely funny.
Example: That scene was too funny for words.
Look like a joke
Meaning: Appear silly or ridiculous.
Example: His outfit made him look like a joke.
Make someone giggle
Meaning: Cause small bursts of laughter.
Example: The puppy made the kids giggle.
Burst with laughter
Meaning: Suddenly explode into laughter.
Example: We burst with laughter at his reaction.

Rare and Unique Idioms for Funny

Laugh like a brook in spring
Meaning: Laugh in a gentle, joyful way.
Example: She laughed like a brook in spring at the joke.
Fit of the giggles
Meaning: Sudden uncontrollable giggling.
Example: She had a fit of the giggles in class.
Tickled pink
Meaning: Highly amused or delighted.
Example: He was tickled pink by the funny story.
Laugh like a box of monkeys
Meaning: Laugh with chaotic excitement.
Example: They laughed like a box of monkeys during the show.
As funny as a three-ring circus
Meaning: Loudly entertaining and chaotic.
Example: The event was as funny as a three-ring circus.
Giggle fit tornado
Meaning: A burst of intense giggling.
Example: Her mistake caused a giggle fit tornado.
Snicker in the shadows
Meaning: Laugh quietly and sneakily.
Example: He snickered in the shadows at his prank.
A chuckle storm
Meaning: A series of uncontrollable small laughs.
Example: His puns created a chuckle storm.
Laugh like a bubbling pot
Meaning: Laugh repeatedly and energetically.
Example: The kids laughed like a bubbling pot.
Humor in the bones
Meaning: Naturally funny without trying.
Example: She has humor in her bones.

Funny Idioms in Literature and Pop Culture

“Mad as a hatter”
Meaning: Amusingly eccentric (popularized by Alice in Wonderland).
Example: His wild ideas made him seem mad as a hatter.
“Not playing with a full deck”
Meaning: Silly or humorous odd behavior.
Example: Some cartoons use characters not playing with a full deck.
“As corny as Kansas in August” (The Sound of Music)
Meaning: Humorously cheesy.
Example: His joke was as corny as Kansas in August.
“Holy guacamole!”
Meaning: Humorous expression of surprise (seen in cartoons).
Example: “Holy guacamole!” he shouted when the clown slipped.
“Throw shade”
Meaning: Make humorous or sarcastic insults (pop culture).
Example: She threw shade with a funny comment.
“Monkey business”
Meaning: Silly or mischievous behavior.
Example: The movie kids were always up to monkey business.
“A whale of a time”
Meaning: A wildly fun experience.
Example: They had a whale of a time at the comedy show.
“Bigger than the belly laugh” (old comedic expression)
Meaning: Huge laughter.
Example: The skit got belly laughs from the crowd.
“A comedy of errors” (Shakespeare)
Meaning: A series of funny mistakes.
Example: Their disastrous trip became a comedy of errors.
“Keep them laughing” (showbiz expression)
Meaning: Maintain humor to engage an audience.
Example: The performer’s job was to keep them laughing.

Synonyms and Alternatives for Funny

Synonym	Meaning
Humorous	Something that causes laughter or amusement.
Comical	Funny in a slightly exaggerated or silly way.
Amusing	Entertaining and pleasant in a lighthearted way.
Hilarious	Extremely funny; produces loud laughter.
Witty	Cleverly funny; humor that is sharp and smart.
Entertaining	Holds attention with enjoyment or fun.
Laughable	So silly or ridiculous that it becomes funny.
Lighthearted	Cheerfully amusing, not serious.
Jovial	Cheerful, full of fun and humor.
Playful	Full of fun, teasing, or mischievous humor.

Tips for Using Funny Idioms in Writing and Speech

Match the idiom with the tone of your message
Use light, friendly idioms in casual conversations and more clever or witty idioms in storytelling or writing.
Let the idiom enhance the humor, not replace it
Use idioms to support your funny moment, not act as the whole joke.
Avoid stacking too many idioms at once
One well-placed idiom is more effective than several that clutter the sentence.
Use idioms to paint vivid mental pictures
Choose idioms with strong imagery to make descriptions feel alive.
Adapt idioms to your personality or context
A slight twist (e.g., “I was almost rolling down the stairs laughing”) can make them feel fresh and original.

Idiom Quiz For Funny

1. “Cracked me up” means:
A) Made me angry
B) Made me confused
C) Made me laugh a lot
D) Made me tired

Answer: C

2. If something is “a barrel of laughs,” it is:
A) Very serious
B) Very boring
C) Very funny
D) Very confusing

Answer: C

3. “Have someone in stitches” means:
A) Make someone cry
B) Make someone laugh hard
C) Make someone nervous
D) Make someone think

Answer: B

4. “Laugh your head off” means:
A) Laugh loudly and freely
B) Laugh quietly
C) Laugh politely
D) Not laugh at all

Answer: A

5. “Pull someone’s leg” means:
A) Help someone
B) Make fun of or tease jokingly
C) Trip someone
D) Stop someone

Answer: B

6. If someone is a “laughing stock,” they are:
A) Highly respected
B) Someone people admire
C) Someone people laugh at
D) Someone who loves jokes

Answer: C

7. A “knee-slapper” is:
A) A boring story
B) A very funny joke
C) A sad moment
D) A confusing scene

Answer: B

8. “Tickled pink” means:
A) Extremely amused or delighted
B) Embarrassed
C) Angry
D) Exhausted

Answer: A

9. “Comic relief” in a situation means:
A) A joke that ruins everything
B) A moment that makes things worse
C) A funny break in a serious moment
D) A confusing pause

Answer: C

10. If someone “gets the giggles,” they:
A) Get nervous
B) Laugh repeatedly without control
C) Get tired
D) Become angry

Answer: B

FAQs

Funny idioms are expressions that use humorous or exaggerated imagery to describe laughter, amusement, or something entertaining.

They make conversations more lively, help express emotions creatively, and add personality to communication.

Yes! Idioms like “cracked me up,” “in stitches,” and “laugh your head off” are very common in everyday speech.

They can be used sparingly, depending on tone. They work best in creative writing, storytelling, articles, and informal communication.

No. Idioms describe humor, but jokes are specific comedic lines or stories meant to make people laugh.

Use them when the context is light, playful, or conversational and when the meaning fits naturally.

Conclusion

Funny idioms add sparkle, personality, and rhythm to everyday communication. Instead of simply saying something is funny, these expressions help you paint vivid pictures that make conversations more engaging and memorable. Whether you’re cracking someone up, rolling in the aisles, or sharing a witty comeback, funny idioms bring humor to life in a way that plain words can’t. By learning and using these idioms, you not only sound more natural and expressive but also add charm and creativity to both your writing and speech. So keep exploring, keep practicing, and let your language become a barrel of laughs wherever you go.