a joke which is a long story with a silly end.

My grandad insists on telling these shaggy dog stories, which nobody finds funny except him.

• be laughing on the other side of face
• be laughing on the other side of your face
• be laughing up sleeve
• be laughing up your sleeve
• be left hanging
• be left hanging in midair
• be left hanging in the air
• be left holding the baby
• be left on the sidelines
• be level pegging
• believe a word of it
• believe it or not
• believe me
• be light-headed
• be light years away
• be light years away from
• be light years away from something
• be like a bear with a sore head
• be like a bull in a china shop
• be like a cat on a hot tin roof
• be like a child in a sweetshop
• be like a deer caught in the headlights
• be like a dog with two tails
• be like a fish out of water
• be like a kid in a candy store