The board laughed his ridiculous idea out of court.
laugh out of court
idiomTo dismiss as silly something presented with genuine conviction or treated seriously.
When the inventor presented his plan for a flying car, the investors laughed him out of court.
The committee dismissed the proposal as entirely impractical and effectively laughed the entire project out of court before the presentation even concluded.
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court of public opinion
The news media and the public at large, seen as being able to deliver a judgement on someone in the manner of a judge.
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enough to make a cat laugh
Very outlandish or outrageous.
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have a laugh
To joke; kid around.
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have the ball in one's court
Alternative form of the ball is in someone's court.
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have the last laugh
To be vindicated; to triumph despite predicted failure; to find success after defeat or setback.
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hold court
To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
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kangaroo court
A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group of people which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, and often acts abusively or decides unjustly.
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laugh a minute
A funny thing or person.