half joke

A 'half joke' often blends humor with seriousness, making it a nuanced form of expression in communication.

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Definition

(idiomatic, informal)A remark that mixes humor with seriousness, often to convey a subtle truth or test reactions.

He mentioned quitting his job as a half joke, but we all knew he was partly serious.
She made a half joke about his odd habits, leaving everyone unsure how to react.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "half joke":