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laugh off

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laugh something off

to treat a serious problem lightly by laughing at it. Although his feelings were hurt, he just laughed the incident off as if nothing had happened. He laughed off the incident.

See also: laugh, off

laugh off something

also laugh something off

to act as if something is not important to you It's not easy to laugh off an insult. She criticizes his work constantly but he doesn't get angry, he just laughs it off.

See also: laugh, off

laugh off

Also, laugh away. Dismiss as ridiculous or trivial, as in He laughed off the suggestion that his career was over. [Early 1700s]

See also: laugh, off

laugh off

or laugh away

v.

1. To dismiss something or someone as ridiculous or laughable: She laughed off the critic's conclusion that the show was a flop. The landlord wanted more money, but I laughed him away.

2. To force someone to leave some area because of laughter or ridicule: The audience laughed the singer off the stage. The other team laughed us away from the field.

See also: laugh, off