tongue-in-cheek
adjectiveUK /ˌtʌŋ ɪn ˈtʃiːk/
US /ˌtʌŋ ɪn ˈtʃiːk/
Saying something funny in a way that is not serious.
Her tongue-in-cheek comment made everyone laugh.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Done as a joke rather than seriously.
He made a tongue-in-cheek promise to eat a hundred cookies.
3. Said with a teasing or ironic tone.
The sign's tongue-in-cheek warning said 'Beware of the cat.'
4. Not meant to be taken literally.
Her tongue-in-cheek advice was to wear pajamas to work.