laughs off
Brushes off lightly
To laugh off something is to dismiss it with humor or apparent unconcern, treating a serious matter as if it doesn't bother you: She laughed off the criticism and changed the subject.
The phrase often suggests deflection—using laughter to avoid engaging with something uncomfortable or threatening: He tried to laugh off the accusation, but his nervousness showed.
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- amusementPleased entertainment state
- dismissalRemoval from position
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
no big deal · nonchalance · indifference · thick-skinned · casualness · brush aside · jest · unfazed · detachment · resilience · banter · makes light of · irony · avoidance · cheerfulness · sarcasm · wit · denial