Laughter is universal, but the way we describe it varies across languages and cultures. In English, idioms are a powerful way to capture the joy, silliness, or intensity of laughter in colorful, memorable phrases.
Idioms are expressions whose meanings go beyond the literal definitions of their words. They add depth, playfulness, and personality to communication.
When you use idioms for laughing, you do more than just say “he laughed.” Instead, you paint a picture—maybe he “burst out laughing,” “laughed like a hyena,” or “cracked up.”
These idioms not only make your speech and writing more engaging but also help you sound more natural and fluent.
Whether you’re writing stories, telling jokes, or having fun conversations, idioms about laughter will make your English sparkle with humor and authenticity.
Did You Know?
The word “giggle” comes from the Middle English word gīglen, which was meant to imitate the sound of laughter. Many idioms about laughing are also sound-based, like “hee-haw” or “laugh like a drain,” showing how closely language mimics the human act of laughing.
Playful and Everyday Idioms for Laughing
Burst Out Laughing
Meaning: To suddenly start laughing loudly.
Example: She burst out laughing when he slipped on the banana peel.
Alternative: Break into laughter.
Note: Common in both writing and casual conversations.
Crack Up
Meaning: To start laughing uncontrollably.
Example: That comedian always makes me crack up.
Alternative: Die laughing.
Note: Mostly informal, used in daily conversations.
Have a Good Laugh
Meaning: To enjoy a laugh, often about something funny or silly.
Example: We had a good laugh over our old school photos.
Alternative: Share a laugh.
Note: Used in friendly, social settings.
Giggle Fit
Meaning: An uncontrollable spell of giggling.
Example: The kids went into a giggle fit during the play.
Alternative: Laughing fit.
Note: Informal, often used for children or playful situations.
Laugh One’s Head Off
Meaning: To laugh very loudly or a lot.
Example: I laughed my head off at the movie last night.
Alternative: Split one’s sides.
Note: Informal, exaggeration for fun.
In Stitches
Meaning: Laughing so hard it hurts.
Example: His story had us in stitches.
Alternative: Rolling in the aisles.
Note: Popular for describing group laughter.
Chuckle Away
Meaning: To laugh quietly to oneself.
Example: He chuckled away while reading the comic book.
Alternative: Snicker.
Note: Gentle laughter, daily use.
Hee-Haw
Meaning: Loud, silly laugh, like a donkey’s sound.
Example: His hee-haw made everyone turn around.
Alternative: Braying laugh.
Note: Informal, often teasing.
Giggle Like a Schoolgirl
Meaning: To laugh in a high-pitched, girlish way.
Example: He giggled like a schoolgirl when she complimented him.
Alternative: Titter.
Note: Playful, sometimes teasing tone.
Laugh Your Socks Off
Meaning: To laugh a lot.
Example: That joke made me laugh my socks off.
Alternative: Laugh your heart out.
Note: Informal and friendly.
Intense and Exaggerated Idioms for Laughing
Rolling in the Aisles
Meaning: Laughing so hard you can’t control yourself.
Example: The audience was rolling in the aisles during the comedy show.
Alternative: In stitches.
Note: Common for describing large groups.
Split One’s Sides
Meaning: Laughing so much it feels like your sides will burst.
Example: We split our sides laughing at his jokes.
Alternative: Bust a gut.
Note: Informal, exaggeration.
Bust a Gut
Meaning: Laugh extremely hard.
Example: I nearly busted a gut at that prank.
Alternative: Split one’s sides.
Note: Casual, often among friends.
Die Laughing
Meaning: To laugh so much it feels deadly.
Example: I almost died laughing at the cartoon.
Alternative: Crack up.
Note: Slangy, not formal.
Laugh Like a Hyena
Meaning: Laugh loudly and wildly.
Example: He laughed like a hyena at his own joke.
Alternative: Cackle.
Note: Playful, often mocking.
Cackle Like a Witch
Meaning: A harsh, loud laugh.
Example: She cackled like a witch when she won.
Alternative: Evil laugh.
Note: Often used in stories or jokes.
Belly Laugh
Meaning: A deep, hearty laugh.
Example: That joke gave me a real belly laugh.
Alternative: Guffaw.
Note: Positive and friendly.
Horse Laugh
Meaning: A loud, snorting laugh.
Example: He gave a horse laugh at the silly remark.
Alternative: Snort with laughter.
Note: Informal, humorous.
Laugh Up a Storm
Meaning: Laugh loudly and continuously.
Example: They laughed up a storm at the party.
Alternative: Laugh riot.
Note: Describes big group laughter.
Rolling on the Floor Laughing
Meaning: Laughing so much you can’t stand up.
Example: We were literally rolling on the floor laughing.
Alternative: ROFL (online slang).
Note: Very informal, often digital.
Gentle or Subtle Idioms for Laughing
Titter
Meaning: To laugh quietly, often nervously.
Example: The students tittered at the teacher’s mistake.
Alternative: Snicker.
Note: Slightly formal, used in writing too.
Snicker
Meaning: A quiet, disrespectful laugh.
Example: They snickered behind her back.
Alternative: Sneer.
Note: Informal, sometimes negative.
Giggle
Meaning: Light, silly laughter.
Example: She giggled when he winked at her.
Alternative: Titter.
Note: Playful, daily use.
Chortle
Meaning: A mix of chuckle and snort.
Example: He chortled at the funny video.
Alternative: Snort with laughter.
Note: Informal, literary.
Smirk
Meaning: A sly smile, half laugh.
Example: He smirked when his plan succeeded.
Alternative: Grin.
Note: Often sarcastic.
Snort with Laughter
Meaning: Laugh so hard you snort.
Example: She snorted with laughter at the joke.
Alternative: Horse laugh.
Note: Casual and informal.
Guffaw
Meaning: A loud, hearty laugh.
Example: He guffawed at the story.
Alternative: Belly laugh.
Note: Common in writing and formal descriptions.
Laugh Under One’s Breath
Meaning: To laugh quietly so others don’t hear.
Example: He laughed under his breath at the silly mistake.
Alternative: Stifle a laugh.
Note: Daily and subtle use.
Stifle a Laugh
Meaning: To try to hide laughter.
Example: She stifled a laugh during the meeting.
Alternative: Suppress laughter.
Note: Useful in professional settings.
Beam with Laughter
Meaning: Smile widely with joy.
Example: The children beamed with laughter at the clown.
Alternative: Glow with happiness.
Note: Friendly and warm.
Sarcastic or Mocking Idioms for Laughing
Laugh in Someone’s Face
Meaning: To openly mock someone.
Example: He laughed in her face when she complained.
Alternative: Ridicule.
Note: Strong, unfriendly tone.
Laugh All the Way to the Bank
Meaning: To benefit financially while others doubt you.
Example: The company laughed all the way to the bank after the deal.
Alternative: Profit with ease.
Note: Often business or finance-related.
No Laughing Matter
Meaning: Something serious, not a joke.
Example: Cheating on exams is no laughing matter.
Alternative: Deadly serious.
Note: Common in formal contexts.
A Laughing Stock
Meaning: Someone who is ridiculed by everyone.
Example: His failed stunt made him a laughing stock.
Alternative: Butt of the joke.
Note: Can be formal and informal.
He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best
Meaning: Final success matters more than early victories.
Example: He who laughs last, laughs best in business.
Alternative: Last laugh.
Note: Proverb, often in formal and casual speech.
Make a Joke of Something
Meaning: Treat something serious as funny.
Example: He made a joke of the whole meeting.
Alternative: Laugh off.
Note: Used in both casual and professional tone.
Laugh Off
Meaning: To dismiss something by laughing.
Example: She laughed off the criticism.
Alternative: Brush off.
Note: Often used in workplace or social life.
It Is to Laugh
Meaning: Sarcastic remark to show disbelief.
Example: “You think you can beat me? It is to laugh.”
Alternative: Yeah, right.
Note: Old-fashioned, ironic.
Don’t Make Me Laugh
Meaning: Expression of disbelief.
Example: “You think he’s honest? Don’t make me laugh.”
Alternative: That’s a joke.
Note: Sarcastic tone, informal.
Laugh on the Other Side of Your Face
Meaning: Someone who mocks will later regret it.
Example: He’ll laugh on the other side of his face when he sees the results.
Alternative: Tables will turn.
Note: Idiomatic warning, often formal.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms like crack up, burst out laughing, or laugh your head off in casual conversations to sound natural and lively.
- Writing: Idioms like in stitches or a laughing stock add flavor to stories, blogs, and creative writing.
- Professional Settings: Use subtle idioms such as stifle a laugh, no laughing matter, or laugh off to maintain a balance between expressiveness and professionalism.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong Usage: “He laughed his shoes off.”
Correct: “He laughed his head off.” - Mixing Idioms: “She split her gut in stitches.”
Correct: Use one idiom: “She split her sides laughing” or “She was in stitches.” - Too Formal Context: Using “crack up” in a serious business meeting.
Correct: Replace with “We shared a laugh” or “We lightened the mood.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are idioms for laughing used in formal English?
Yes, but choose wisely. Expressions like laugh off or no laughing matter fit formal contexts better than slang like crack up.
Q2: Can I use laughing idioms in writing?
Absolutely! They make stories, blogs, and essays more vivid and engaging.
Q3: Are these idioms common in daily conversations?
Yes, idioms like burst out laughing, in stitches, and laugh your head off are widely used.
Q4: What’s the difference between “giggle” and “chuckle”?
A giggle is lighter and often childish, while a chuckle is more mature and quieter.
Q5: Which idiom works best for online chatting?
“ROFL” (Rolling on the Floor Laughing) is very common in digital communication.
Conclusion
Idioms for laughing capture the full range of human humor—from quiet giggles to belly laughs and sarcastic smirks. Using these expressions makes your English more colorful, expressive, and natural.
Whether you’re writing stories, chatting with friends, or speaking in public, laughter idioms help you communicate joy and humor vividly.
So, the next time something funny happens, don’t just say “I laughed”—say “I was in stitches” or “I cracked up,” and watch your language come alive.
