# make light of

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/make-light-of
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To regard without due seriousness; to joke about.

## Examples

- It is rude to make light of someone else's problems.
- He tried to make light of the accident, but everyone else was clearly worried about the damage.
- Although the situation was dire, the politician attempted to make light of the crisis to calm the nervous public.

## Origin

From Make light work of. (disputed)

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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.