# laugh off

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/laugh-off
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to dismiss something serious or unpleasant by laughing, showing it doesn't bother you.

For teachers: to treat a serious or unpleasant matter with ridicule or indifference; to trivialize an issue through laughter.

## Examples

- He laughed off the criticism.
- She laughed off the accident, but it left her with a broken arm.
- Despite the dire warnings, the CEO laughed off the financial risks, leading to the company's downfall.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He laughed at the criticism" but "He laughed off the criticism" — the particle 'off' indicates dismissal, not the target of laughter.

## Usage notes

- typically followed by a noun indicating the thing being dismissed.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'brush off' (more about ignoring) and 'ignore' (more direct); 'laugh off' emphasizes the use of humor to downplay severity.

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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.