spit take
Comedic spray reaction
A spit take is a comedic reaction where someone sprays liquid from their mouth upon hearing surprising or outrageous news.
The performer takes a drink, receives shocking information, and dramatically expels the liquid.
Originally a vaudeville and film gag, it now describes any exaggerated expression of disbelief: The budget numbers made me do a spit take.
Dispersed liquid droplets
- splatterScatter in drops
- spewEject with force
- dribbleLeak in drops
- spillageLiquid that escaped containment
soaked · wet · splash · drench · squirt · projectile · eject · expel
Involuntary stimulus response
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- sputterEmit irregular popping sounds
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
- gaspSudden sharp breath
splutter · cough · gag · startle · flinch · jolt · convulse · uncontrollable
Violent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
stunned · dumbfounded · thunderstruck · incredulous · startled · blindsided · bombshell · revelation
spray
Dispersed liquid droplets
spillage · soaked · wet · splash · drench · squirt · projectile · eject · expel · shower
reflex
Involuntary stimulus response
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- sputterEmit irregular popping sounds
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
gasp · splutter · cough · gag · startle · flinch · jolt · convulse · uncontrollable · spontaneous
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
gobsmacked · stunned · dumbfounded · thunderstruck · incredulous · startled · blindsided · bombshell · revelation · unexpected
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
reaction · pratfall · shtick · bit · setup · payoff · deadpan · comic · farce · buffoonery
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- comedycomedy, jokes, humor, puns, sarcasm
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- comedy tropespratfall, parody, sight gag, running gag, satire
- reactionsreaction, response, gasp, wince, flinch
- slapstickpratfall, banana peel, pie throw, falling down, custard pie
spit takedeadpan
Expressionless, especially for humor
straight face · poker face · blank stare · nonreaction · unmoved
spit takecomposure
Emotional self-control
poise · self-control · restraint · stiff upper lip · equanimity
spit, take, spits, spitting, spat, takes, taking, taken, taker