PhrasesHub

Tongue in cheek

    Definitions

      • to say something in a joking or sarcastic manner
        When someone is making a statement that is not meant to be taken seriously, often accompanied by a smile or a wink, to indicate the lighthearted nature of the comment

      • insincere or ironic
        When someone is being insincere or ironic in their remarks, often with a playful or mocking tone

    Examples of Tongue in cheek

    • The boss announced that the company will be implementing a new "no-blame" policy. It was said with a sly grin and a raised eyebrow, implying that the policy might not be entirely sincere.

      "Tongue in cheek" is an idiom that means making a sarcastic or ironic statement while smiling or joking to conceal one's true meaning. In this case, the boss's announcement was made with a "tongue in cheek," hinting that the policy could be a subtle way of blaming employees for their mistakes without actually doing so.

    • During a heated discussion, one participant replied, "I couldn't agree with you more." It was clear that they meant the opposite, and the statement was met with laughter and eye rolls.

      "Tongue in cheek" can also be used to contrast one's true feelings with what they are saying. In this case, the participant's statements were said with a "tongue in cheek," revealing that they actually disagreed with the other participant's argument.

    • After a disastrous presentation, the speaker jokingly remarked, "Well, that didn't go quite as planned." It was a lighthearted way of acknowledging the failure while avoiding admitting defeat.

      "Tongue in cheek" is often used to poke fun at a situation or make light of a mistake. In this example, the speaker's statement was said with a "tongue in cheek," displaying a sense of humor and perspective about the disappointing outcome.

    • The manager commented, "We need to find a way to cut costs without sacrificing quality." It was clear that they meant that they would have to compromise on quality to save money, but they tactfully phrased it to avoid confrontation.

      "Tongue in cheek" can sometimes be used to conceal a difficult truth. In this case, the manager's statement was said with a "tongue in cheek," signaling that they would have to make some tough decisions about cost-cutting measures that may ultimately lead to sacrifices in quality.

    • During the meeting, the CEO joked that the company's financial reports were as clear as mud. It was all done with a tongue in cheek, as everyone in the room knew that the reports were actually quite well-prepared.

      The expression "tongue in cheek" refers to the gesture of sticking your tongue out and smiling while making a joke. It is used to indicate that the speaker is not entirely serious and is being playful or ironic. In this instance, the CEO was being self-deprecating and making a lighthearted comment about the reports to help ease any tensions in the room. However, everyone knew that the CEO was actually proud of the reports and was not being sincere in his criticism.

    • "I've been meaning to clean the house for weeks, but I keep getting sidetracked by Netflix and snacks. I guess you could say my home is a real hot mess!"

      The phrase "hot mess" is used with a hint of sarcasm and humor, implying that the situation (in this case, a messy house) is both chaotic and amusing, like a hot messy cake turned out wrong in baking. In this context, using the idiom "tongue in cheek" refers to the speaker's intentionally lighthearted and humorous tone, as if they're jokingly blaming their lazy habits for a messy house, rather than taking full responsibility for it.

    • "I promised my friend I'd help her move next weekend, but I'm not really looking forward to it. Moving is such a pain, it's like having a root canal without the Novocain!"

      Here, the speaker uses the example of a painful dental procedure to illustrate the agony and discomfort of moving, in a humorous and exaggerated way. By using the idiom "tongue in cheek", they're implying that they're being a bit dramatic and over-the-top, but still making a serious point that moving is a challenging and unpleasant task.

    • "The presentation went off without a hitch! I've never seen such a captive audience in my entire career. It was like Hercules himself had wedged them in their seats with nothing but a laser pointer!"

      The use of the idiom "a captive audience" in this context adds a humorous and tongue-in-cheek element to an otherwise serious situation. It suggests that the speaker is being overly dramatic and sarcastic about the success of their presentation, implying that the listeners were actually quite engaged and interested in the presentation, despite the speaker's hyperbole.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "tongue in cheek" is used to convey a lighthearted or sarcastic tone in a statement. It is often accompanied by a smile or wink to indicate that the speaker is not being entirely serious. This idiom can also be used to describe someone being insincere or ironic in their remarks, often with a playful or mocking tone.

    Overall, "tongue in cheek" is used to indicate that a statement should not be taken seriously and is meant to be humorous or ironic.

    Origin of "Tongue in cheek"

    The origin of the idiom "tongue in cheek" can be traced back to the 18th century, when it was used to describe a facial expression that indicated irony or insincerity. The phrase is believed to have originated from the physical act of speaking with one's tongue pressed against the inside of the cheek, which can create a slightly muffled or distorted sound.

    Over time, the idiom evolved to represent a more figurative meaning, indicating that a statement should not be taken at face value and is meant to be humorous or ironic. The use of the phrase "tongue in cheek" to convey insincerity or sarcasm has become a common part of the English language, and it is often used in informal and casual speech.