# half joke

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/half-joke
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A statement which contains elements of both jest and seriousness.

## Examples

- He said he would quit, but it was only a half joke.
- She told her boss she was moving to the moon, but it was a half joke because she really does want a new start.
- His comment about leaving the company was delivered as a half joke, yet the underlying frustration in his voice suggested a deeper, more serious intent.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.