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cheek
with (one's) tongue in (one's) cheek
Humorously or as a joke, though seeming or appearing to be serious. The president gave a speech on April Fools' Day about the "War on Couch Potatoes," which he delivered with his tongue in his cheek. The zombie movie, very much with its tongue in its cheek, gives a clever criticism of American consumerism.
tongue-in-cheek
Jocular or humorous, though seeming or appearing to be serious. The president's tongue-in-cheek speech about the "War on Couch Potatoes" has been extremely popular on the Internet this week.
cheek by jowl
Fig. side by side; close together. The pedestrians had to walk cheek by jowl along the narrow streets. The two families lived cheek by jowl in one house.
tongue-in-cheek
Fig. insincere; joking. Ann made a tongue-in-cheek remark to John, and he got mad because he thought she was serious. The play seemed very serious at first, but then everyone saw that it was tongue-in-cheek, and they began laughing.
turn the other cheek
Fig. to ignore abuse or an insult. When Bob got mad at Mary and yelled at her, she just turned the other cheek. Usually I turn the other cheek when someone is rude to me.
cheek by jowl
very close together Business and residential buildings have been developed cheek by jowl in this city.
Etymology: based on the idea that the cheek and jowl (parts of the face) are very close to each other
turn the other cheek
to decide not to do anything to hurt someone who has hurt you When someone attacks you personally, the best approach may be to turn the other cheek.
Etymology: based on the Biblical instruction to turn the other cheek (if someone hits you, a better response than hitting them is to turn your face so that they can hit you on the other side)
(with) tongue in cheek
in a way that is not serious, although it appears to be Karl explained, tongue in cheek, that he was busy with housecleaning.
cheek by jowl
very close together
Usage notes: Jowl is a word for the loose flesh by the lower jaw, which is very close to the cheek.
The poor lived cheek by jowl in industrial mining towns in Victorian England. put the roses in somebody's cheeks
also bring the roses to somebody's cheeks to make someone look healthy A brisk walk will soon put the roses back in your cheeks.
See come out smelling of rosestongue in cheek
also with your tongue in your cheek if you say something tongue in cheek, what you have said is a joke, although it might seem to be serious 'And we all know what a passionate love life I have!' he said, tongue in cheek.
See bite tongue, find tongue, hold tongue, loosen tongueturn the other cheek
if you turn the other cheek when someone attacks or insults you, you do not get angry and attack or insult them but stay calm instead Neither nation is renowned for turning the other cheek.
cheek by jowl
Side by side, close together, as in In that crowded subway car we stood cheek by jowl, virtually holding one another up. This term dates from the 16th century, when it replaced cheek by cheek.
tongue in cheek, with
Ironically or as a joke, as in Was he speaking with tongue in cheek when he said Sally should run for president? This term probably alludes to the facial expression produced by poking one's tongue in one's cheek, perhaps to suppress a smile. [First half of 1800s]
turn the other cheek
Respond meekly or mildly to insult or injury without retaliating. For example, There's no point in arguing with that unreasonable supervisor; just turn the other cheek . This expression comes from the New Testament, in which Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and offer their other cheek to those who have struck one cheek (Luke 6:29).
tongue in cheek
and TIC phr. & comp. abb. a phrase said when the speaker is joking or not being sincere. My comment was made TIC. Don’t take me seriously.
water one’s cheeks
tv. to cry; to shed tears sobbing. Poor Billy was watering his cheeks all night because his dog ran away.
cheek by jowl
Side by side; close together.