jest



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

in jest

as a joke He called me stupid, then said it was all in jest and he felt really bad about it.
See also: jest

There's many a true word spoken in jest.

something that you say when you think that something someone has said as a joke may really be true or become true 'At this rate we'll be walking all night.' 'Be careful - there's many a true word spoken in jest.'
See also: jest, many, spoken, true, word

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Ira (1)IE-rə (English)Biblical, English, Hebrew
MarjattaMAHR-yaht-tahFinnish
Bisera-Bulgarian, Macedonian
Ernestas-Lithuanian
DaleDAY-əl, DAYLEnglish
Eitan-Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew