jest

in jest

For fun; as a joke; without sincerity. I know your remarks were only in jest, but they still hurt my feelings.
See also: jest

it's ill jesting with edged tools

proverb Casually engaging with dangerous people or things is likely to cause harm. You're right, I don't speed when I'm driving in the rain, not even a little bit. That's because my mom taught me that it's ill jesting with edged tools. You're picking fights with known gang members, Tom. I know you're a tough guy and all, but it's ill jesting with edged tools.
See also: edge, ill, jest, tool

jest about (someone or something)

To make joking, witty, or amusing remarks about or at the expense of someone or something. If people could only hear the way those snobbish politicians jested about the economic crisis at the gala event. There would be a revolution, I tell you! Several employees were jesting about the new manager in the break room.
See also: jest

jest at (someone or something)

To make mocking, teasing, or jeering remarks about or at the expense of someone or something. Everyone had been jesting at the dire future of the company, never expecting it to actually go under. The members of the royal court jested at the prisoner as he pleaded for his life before the king.
See also: jest

jest with (one)

1. To tease or make fun of one in a playful manner. The kitchen was filled with the raucous sound of everyone jesting with one another over dinner. Jesting with my friends has always been my way of showing them affection.
2. To attempt to fool one in a mocking or condescending manner. Often used as a rhetorical question or statement by the person at the receiving end. A: "I'm afraid we will need another $10,000 to finish the project." B: "Are you jesting with me? What on earth happened to all the money we've already invested?" They must be jesting with us. Who do they think they're dealing with?
See also: jest

many a true word is spoken in jest

proverb The things that one jokes about may in fact be true or become true. I know she said she was joking about being depressed, but I'm concerned—many a true word is spoken in jest. A: "Oh come one, I was only joking! I would never do something like that!" B: "So you say, but many a true word is spoken in jest."
See also: jest, many, spoken, true, word

there's many a true word spoken in jest

The things that one jokes about may in fact be true or become true. I know she said she was joking about being depressed, but I'm concerned—there's many a true word spoken in jest.
See also: jest, many, spoken, true, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

jest about someone or something

to make jokes about someone or something. There is no need to jest about Lady Bracknell. I wish you would not jest about that.
See also: jest

jest at someone or something

to make fun of someone or something. Please don't jest at my cousin. Is someone jesting at my hairdo?
See also: jest

jest with someone

to joke with someone; to try to fool someone. Surely you are jesting with me. Don't jest with me!
See also: jest

Many a true word is spoken in jest.

 and There's many a true word spoken in jest.
Prov. Just because something is said as a joke, it can still be true. Fred: Why did you make a joke about my being stingy? Do you really think I'm cheap? Ellen: Of course not, don't be silly. It was just a joke. Fred: But many a true word is spoken in jest.
See also: jest, many, spoken, true, word
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in ˈjest

as a joke: The remark was made half in jest. ‘Many a true word is spoken in jest,’ thought Rosie (= people often say things as a joke that are actually true).
See also: jest
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • in jest
  • in fun
  • for fun
  • take offense
  • take offense (at) (something)
  • take offence (at something)
  • teach a man to fish
  • a big girl's blouse
  • big girl's blouse
  • blouse
References in periodicals archive
After the reassessment, appointments are now made possible on 57% of the posts for JESTs and 75% of the posts for ECTs.
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What does JEST provide for East Jerusalem entrepreneurs?
A Jerusalem hub for entrepreneurs
The first visible change are the cuts: an introduction to Wallace's biography and a summary of Infinite Jest's initial reception have been replaced by a shorter, tabular chronology of Wallace's life and work and a more comprehensive assessment of his influence on contemporary American literature.
David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest: A Reader's Guide
He only mentioned the president in jest. It was not a direct insult DEFENCE LAWYER
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The name belongs to a comedian that frequently paid Johnny Carson a visit on "The Tonight Show." It's one of "Beau Jest's" in-jokes, another being that her real boyfriend's name is Chris Cringle.
`Beau Jest' imparts farcical message with brio
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Apple's Siri Bashes Chris Brown, Watch Funny Commercial Spoof That Went Viral [VIDEO]
The speech is doubtless an allusion to Richard's hump and puns triply on bear with, 'put up with,' bear, 'carry' and bear, 'an animal'" (13) If humpbacked Richard's dislike of his cousin has not verged on hatred before this punning jest on his deformity, it likely does so after he hears it.
Purging the jesting spirit in The Tempest
Dwi jest yn hapusach yn cael siarad iaith y nefoedd am mod i'n clywed llai ohoni.
Ydw wir, dwi'n mwynhau mynd at y deintydd
US mobile network operator Verizon Wireless and handset manufacturer Pantech yesterday announced the availability of the Pantech Jest feature phone by Person Communications Devices LLC on the Verizon Wireless network.
Pantech Jest available on Verizon Wireless network
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Open City Films' Jason Kliot is producing an adaptation of "Infinite Jest"--long considered the author's opus--from a screenplay penned by Keith Bunin.
Wallace's 'Jest' still gestating
PUPILS at a Midlands secondary school are being asked some weighty questions this week as part of a unique project run by scientists at the University of Birmingham and the Jest a minute Theatre Company.
Big topic to feature in classroom
Though the challenge had been thrown out in jest, Nathan told his teacher he would consider it.
The true spirit of giving