poking fun
Ribbing someone playfully
Poking fun is teasing or mocking someone or something in a lighthearted way.
The phrase suggests gentle ridicule rather than cruel criticism: The sketch was poking fun at politicians.
Unlike making fun of, which can be mean-spirited, poking fun usually implies affection or at least harmlessness.
- ribbingAffectionate verbal teasing
- jokingSaying things in fun
- barrackingVocal harassment from crowd
- lampooningRidiculing through exaggeration
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
cracking jokes · chaffing · kidding · just kidding · mocking · razzing · mockery · ridicule · leg-pulling · taking the mickey · humor · having a laugh · twitting · quipping · tongue in cheek · sarcasm · satire · smirking
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
- provocationbaiting, goading, taunting, incitement, instigation
poking funcondemning
Expressing severe disapproval
censuring · rebuking · reproaching · admonishing · chastising
poking funencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
supporting · building up · championing · defending · uplifting
fun, funny, poke, poked, poking, pokes, funnest, funning, funner