To laugh up one's sleeve

To laugh up one's sleeve
Laugh Laugh (l[aum]f), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Laughed} (l[aum]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. {Laughing}.] [OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G. lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan, lahh[=e]n, Icel. hl[ae]ja,W Dan. lee, Sw. le, Goth. hlahjan; perh. of imitative origin.] 1. To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter. [1913 Webster]

Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

He laugheth that winneth. --Heywood's Prov. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport. [1913 Webster]

Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

{To laugh at}, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride. [1913 Webster]

No wit to flatter left of all his store, No fool to laugh at, which he valued more. --Pope.

{To laugh in the sleeve}, {To laugh up one's sleeve}, to laugh secretly, or so as not to be observed, especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at.

{To laugh out}, to laugh in spite of some restraining influence; to laugh aloud.

{To laugh out of the other corner of the mouth} or {To laugh out of the other side of the mouth}, to weep or cry; to feel regret, vexation, or disappointment after hilarity or exaltation. [Slang] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • laugh up one's sleeve — or[laugh in one s sleeve] or[laugh in one s beard] To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter. * /He was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew the call would he a joke./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • laugh up one's sleeve — or[laugh in one s sleeve] or[laugh in one s beard] To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter. * /He was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew the call would he a joke./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • laugh\ in\ one's\ sleeve — • laugh up one s sleeve • laugh in one s sleeve • laugh in one s beard To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter. He was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew the call would be a joke …   Словарь американских идиом

  • laugh\ up\ one's\ sleeve — • laugh up one s sleeve • laugh in one s sleeve • laugh in one s beard To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter. He was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew the call would be a joke …   Словарь американских идиом

  • laugh up one's sleeve — ► laugh up one s sleeve be secretly or inwardly amused. Main Entry: ↑laugh …   English terms dictionary

  • laugh in one's sleeve — See: LAUGH UP ONE S SLEEVE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • laugh in one's sleeve — See: LAUGH UP ONE S SLEEVE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • laugh up one's sleeve — phrasal see laugh in one s sleeve * * * laugh up one s sleeve or (rare) ● laugh * * * be secretly or inwardly amused …   Useful english dictionary

  • laugh in one's sleeve — phrasal or laugh up one s sleeve also laugh in one s beard : to become inwardly elated : congratulate oneself secretly (as on having successfully played a trick on someone) …   Useful english dictionary

  • To laugh up one's sleeve — Sleeve Sleeve, n. [OE. sleeve, sleve, AS. sl?fe, sl?fe; akin to sl?fan to put on, to clothe; cf. OD. sloove the turning up of anything, sloven to turn up one s sleeves, sleve a sleeve, G. schlaube a husk, pod.] 1. The part of a garment which… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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