Need a quick way to paint humor in words? Slip in idioms for funny and watch chatter light up. A joke can crack you up like lightning splits a sky, a gag can hit home like a dart to the bullseye, and a quip can bounce around like a rubber ball in a hallway.
Each phrase is short, catchy, and easy to keep on the tongue—beat after beat, picture after picture, laugh after laugh.
Best Idioms for Funny
1. Act the fool
Meaning: To behave in a silly or playful way to make others laugh.
In a Sentence:
He always acts a fool at family gatherings to cheer everyone up.
She acted the fool at the party and had everyone laughing.
Other Ways to Say: Goof around. Clown around. Fool around.
2. Clown around
Meaning: To behave like a clown, making funny faces or actions to entertain.
In a Sentence:
The kids were clowning around in the backyard all afternoon.
He clowned around during rehearsal to lighten the mood.
Other Ways to Say: Act up. Goof around. Play the Joker.
3. Play the joker
Meaning: To be the funny person in a group, often telling jokes or making witty remarks.
In a Sentence:
He loves to play the Joker among his friends.
She played the joker at work, keeping everyone laughing.
Other Ways to Say: Be a card. Be a laugh. Be a clown.
4. Be a laugh
Meaning: To be someone who is fun to be around and often makes people laugh.
In a Sentence:
He’s such a laugh at parties.
She’s always a laugh when we go out together.
Other Ways to Say: Be a Riot. Be a card. Be a barrel of laughs.
5. Make a spectacle of yourself
Meaning: To act in a silly or embarrassing way that draws attention.
In a Sentence:
He made a spectacle of himself on the dance floor.
Try not to make a spectacle of yourself at the wedding!
Other Ways to Say: Show off. Act the fool. Draw attention.
6. Goof around
Meaning: To behave in a playful or silly way, often wasting time.
In a Sentence:
They goofed around at the office instead of working.
We spent the afternoon goofing around at the mall.
Other Ways to Say: Fool around. Clown around. Mess around.
7. Be a card
Meaning: To be an amusing or witty person who entertains others.
In a Sentence:
Uncle Joe is a real card at family dinners.
She’s a card, always coming up with hilarious stories.
Other Ways to Say: Be a Joker. Be funny. Be a character.
8. Act like a clown
Meaning: To behave in an exaggeratedly silly or funny way.
In a Sentence:
He was acting like a clown to make the kids laugh.
She acted like a clown on stage and stole the show.
Other Ways to Say: Act the fool. Clown around. Be goofy.
9. Be a barrel of laughs
Meaning: To be a very funny person or situation, causing lots of laughter.
In a Sentence:
The trip was a barrel of laughs from start to finish.
He’s a barrel of laughs when he’s telling jokes.
Other Ways to Say: Be a laugh. Be a riot. Be hilarious.
10. Fool around
Meaning: To joke or behave playfully, often in a carefree or silly manner.
In a Sentence:
They were fooling around at the beach all day.
He fooled around in class and got into trouble.
Other Ways to Say: Goof around. Clown around. Mess around.
11. A laugh a minute
Meaning: A person or situation that’s constantly funny and entertaining.
In a Sentence:
The new comedy show was a laugh a minute.
Hanging out with him is always a laugh a minute.
Other Ways to Say: A Riot. A real hoot. A barrel of laughs.
12. Have a giggle
Meaning: To laugh quietly or softly, often at something lighthearted.
In a Sentence:
We had a giggle over the silly video.
She loves to have a giggle with her friends after work.
Other Ways to Say: Chuckle. Laugh softly. Titter.
13. A real hoot
Meaning: Something or someone that is very funny and amusing.
In a Sentence:
The party was a real hoot from start to finish.
He’s a real hoot when he tells his travel stories.
Other Ways to Say: A Riot. Hilarious. Funny as a barrel of monkeys.
14. Funny as a barrel of monkeys
Meaning: Extremely funny, chaotic, and entertaining.
In a Sentence:
The kids were funny as a barrel of monkeys during the sleepover.
That comedy skit was as funny as a barrel of monkeys!
Other Ways to Say: Hilarious. A riot. A real hoot.
15. A scream
Meaning: Someone or something very funny, often causing loud laughter.
In a Sentence:
The comedian was screaming on stage.
Your brother is a scream when he’s telling jokes.
Other Ways to Say: A Riot. A real hoot. A laugh a minute.
16. A riot
Meaning: A person or event that causes loud, uncontrollable laughter.
In a Sentence:
The family reunion was a riot with all the games.
She’s a riot at parties, always making people laugh.
Other Ways to Say: A Scream. A laugh a minute. A real hoot.
17. Have a whale of a time
Meaning: To have an extremely fun and enjoyable time.
In a Sentence:
We had a whale of a time at the amusement park.
They’re having a whale of a time on vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Have a blast. Have a ball. Enjoy immensely.
18. A knee-slapper
Meaning: A joke or moment that’s so funny it makes you want to slap your knee.
In a Sentence:
That joke was a real knee-slapper!
He told a knee-slapper that had everyone in stitches.
Other Ways to Say: A belly-laugher. Hilarious. A scream.
19. Too funny for words
Meaning: So hilarious that it’s hard to even describe.
In a Sentence:
The prank they pulled was too funny for words.
Her impression of the teacher was too funny for words.
Other Ways to Say: Hysterical. Unbelievably funny. Beyond description.
20. A tickler
Meaning: Something that tickles your funny bone or makes you laugh softly.
In a Sentence:
That cartoon was a real tickler.
His clever puns are always a tickler.
Other Ways to Say: A giggle. A chuckler. A light laugh.
21. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To tease or trick someone in a playful way.
In a Sentence:
He told me I won the lottery, but he was just pulling my leg.
She loves pulling her brother’s leg about his new haircut.
Other Ways to Say: Tease. Joke with. Kid.
22. Tongue in cheek
Meaning: To say something humorous or sarcastic without intending to be taken seriously.
In a Sentence:
His comment about quitting his job was tongue-in-cheek.
She made a tongue-in-cheek remark about being a superhero.
Other Ways to Say: Sarcastic. Playful. Lighthearted.
23. Take the mickey
Meaning: To make fun of someone in a friendly or teasing way.
In a Sentence:
They’re always taking the mickey out of his fashion choices.
She took the mickey out of his cooking skills at dinner.
Other Ways to Say: Tease. Make fun of. Poke fun at.
24. Have a dig
Meaning: To make a light, teasing comment about someone, often with humor.
In a Sentence:
He had a dig at his friend’s football team.
She loves to have a dig at her brother’s messy room.
Other Ways to Say: Tease. Jab playfully. Make a crack.
25. Poke fun at
Meaning: To mock or joke about someone or something in a humorous way.
In a Sentence:
He poked fun at his own bad singing.
They poked fun at the boss’s new haircut.
Other Ways to Say: Tease. Mock. Make fun of.
26. Kid around
Meaning: To joke or playfully tease someone.
In a Sentence:
We were just kidding around before class.
He’s always kidding around with his coworkers.
Other Ways to Say: Joke. Fool around. Goof off.
27. Wind someone up
Meaning: To tease someone until they react, often in a humorous way.
In a Sentence:
They love winding him up about his favorite football team.
She wound me up until I burst out laughing.
Other Ways to Say: Tease. Annoy playfully. Stir up.
28. Yank someone’s chain
Meaning: To tease or trick someone to see their reaction.
In a Sentence:
He said I missed the meeting, but he was just yanking my chain.
She’s always yanking my chain about my bad memory.
Other Ways to Say: Pull someone’s leg. Tease. Joke.
29. Rib someone
Meaning: To tease someone gently, usually among friends.
In a Sentence:
They ribbed him about his new glasses.
She ribbed her friend about his dance moves.
Other Ways to Say: Tease. Make fun of. Playfully mock.
30. Have a bit of fun
Meaning: To enjoy yourself by teasing or playing lightly with someone.
In a Sentence:
We were just having a bit of fun with his new nickname.
She had a bit of fun teasing her brother.
Other Ways to Say: Joke around. Play. Tease.
31. Crackup
Meaning: To suddenly start laughing, often uncontrollably.
In a Sentence:
I cracked up when he told that ridiculous joke.
She cracked up watching the funny video.
Other Ways to Say: Burst out laughing. Laugh hard. Fall about laughing.
32. In stitches
Meaning: Laughing so hard it feels like your stomach hurts.
In a Sentence:
His impressions had us in stitches all night.
We were in stitches at the comedy show.
Other Ways to Say: Laugh nonstop. Burst with laughter. Roll in the aisles.
33. Bust a gut
Meaning: To laugh so much it feels like your belly might burst.
In a Sentence:
We busted a gut watching that old sitcom.
She busted a gut at the prank video.
Other Ways to Say: Crack up. Laugh your head off. Die laughing.
34. Laugh your head off
Meaning: To laugh very loudly and energetically.
In a Sentence:
He laughed his head off at the comedian’s jokes.
I laughed my head off when I saw that meme.
Other Ways to Say: Bust a gut. Crack up. Split your sides.
35. Split your sides
Meaning: To laugh so hard you feel like your sides will split open.
In a Sentence:
That movie had us splitting our sides.
He split his sides laughing at the bloopers.
Other Ways to Say: Bust a gut. Laugh your head off. In stitches.
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Happiness and Smiling Moments
36. Die Laughing
Meaning: To laugh so hard it feels like you could die from it (figuratively).
In a Sentence:
I nearly died laughing at her impersonation.
They died laughing during the funny scene.
Other Ways to Say: Crack up. Laugh uncontrollably. Bust a gut.
37. Roll in the aisles
Meaning: To laugh uncontrollably, often used for audiences in shows or performances.
In a Sentence:
The audience was rolling in the aisles during the stand-up show.
He had everyone rolling in the aisles with his jokes.
Other Ways to Say: In stitches. Laugh wildly. Bust a gut.
38. Get the giggles
Meaning: To start laughing in a light, often uncontrollable way, especially at inappropriate times.
In a Sentence:
She got the giggles during the serious meeting.
We got the giggles at the back of the classroom.
Other Ways to Say: Giggle. Titter. Laugh softly.
39. Snort with laughter
Meaning: To laugh so hard you snort through your nose.
In a Sentence:
He snorted with laughter when he saw the costume.
She snorted with laughter at the joke.
Other Ways to Say: Laugh loudly. Crack up. Chuckle hard.
40. Guffaw loudly
Meaning: To let out a loud, hearty laugh.
In a Sentence:
The old man guffawed loudly at the punchline.
She guffawed loudly during the funny movie.
Other Ways to Say: Roar with laughter. Laugh out loud. Bellow with laughter.
41. Have a laugh
Meaning: To enjoy a moment of fun or humor with others.
In a Sentence:
We had a laugh remembering our old school days.
She loves to have a laugh with her coworkers after work.
Other Ways to Say: Share a joke. Enjoy a giggle. Joke around.
42. Play it for laughs
Meaning: To deliberately act or say something to get people to laugh.
In a Sentence:
He always plays it for laughs at parties.
The movie played it for laughs with exaggerated characters.
Other Ways to Say: Go for humor. Entertain. Make it funny.
43. Crack a joke
Meaning: To tell a joke or funny comment.
In a Sentence:
He cracked a joke to break the awkward silence.
She loves to crack jokes during meetings.
Other Ways to Say: Tell a joke. Make a wisecrack. Be witty.
44. Lighten the mood
Meaning: To make a tense or serious situation more relaxed using humor.
In a Sentence:
He told a funny story to lighten the mood at dinner.
She lightened the mood during the stressful meeting.
Other Ways to Say: Ease tension. Cheer up. Lift spirits.
45. Raise a smile
Meaning: To make someone smile or feel slightly happier.
In a Sentence:
His funny drawing raised a smile from everyone.
She raised a smile with her kind and witty words.
Other Ways to Say: Bring a smile. Cheer someone up. Amuse.
46. Tell a yarn
Meaning: To tell an amusing or exaggerated story.
In a Sentence:
Grandpa loves to tell a yarn about his younger days.
He told a yarn that had everyone laughing.
Other Ways to Say: Spin a Tale. Share a story. Entertain.
47. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret or surprise, often in a funny or accidental way.
In a Sentence:
He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
She spilled the beans on the office gossip.
Other Ways to Say: Reveal. Let it slip. Give away the secret.
48. Break the ice
Meaning: To use humor or conversation to ease tension in a new or awkward situation.
In a Sentence:
He cracked a joke to break the ice at the meeting.
She told a funny story to break the ice on her first day.
Other Ways to Say: Ease tension. Start the conversation. Open things up.
49. Have everyone in hysterics
Meaning: To make a group of people laugh uncontrollably.
In a Sentence:
His stand-up routine had everyone in hysterics.
The prank video had us all in hysterics.
Other Ways to Say: Make everyone crack up. Have people rolling in laughter. Cause an uproar.
50. Spin a funny tale
Meaning: To tell a humorous story, often creatively or exaggeratedly.
In a Sentence:
He spun a funny tale about his camping trip.
She loves spinning funny tales at family gatherings.
Other Ways to Say: Tell a yarn. Share a humorous story. Entertain with a tale.
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Funny
- The comedian had the whole room __________.
- She couldn’t help but __________ when she saw the dog wearing sunglasses.
- He loves to __________ at family dinners to get everyone laughing.
- The kids __________ all afternoon in the backyard.
- That joke was such a __________; I nearly fell off my chair!
- He always __________ to lighten the mood during meetings.
- We were __________ during the movie; it was that funny.
- She __________ when she accidentally walked into the wrong room.
- Grandpa loves to __________ about his fishing adventures.
- They __________ at the party and made everyone smile.
Answers
- in hysterics
- crack up
- crack a joke
- goofed around
- knee-slapper
- cracks a joke
- in stitches
- laughed her head off
- tell a yarn / spin a funny tale
- played it for laughs
Conclusion
With idioms for funny, every punchline pops, every grin grows, every room rings. A pun can tickle ribs like feathers on bare feet, a one-liner can spark giggles like sparks in dry grass, and a tall tale can send laughs rolling like marbles on a slope.
Use them once, use them twice, and use them until the rhythm sticks. They keep your language light, your stories bright, and your listeners laughing long after the joke is told.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
