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tickle
tickle (someone's) funny bone
To make someone laugh; to be humorous or amusing to someone. There's this silly statue on campus that never fails to tickle my funny bone when I walk past it. David has such wit that he can tickle the funny bone of anyone he meets.
tickle the dragon's tail
To do something risky or dangerous. You know dad has a temper, so why are you antagonizing him? Stop tickling the dragon's tail uness you want to be grounded for weeks! Rob is definitely tickling the dragon's tail with his new interest in skydiving.
tickle someone pink
Fig. to please or entertain someone very much. Bill told a joke that really tickled us all pink. I know that these flowers will tickle her pink.
tickle someone's fancy
to interest someone; to make someone curious. I have an interesting problem here that I think will tickle your fancy. This doesn't tickle my fancy at all. This is dull and boring.
tickle someone to death
1. Fig. to tickle someone a great deal. Bobby nearly tickled Tim to death. Tim was left breathless. We got him down and tickled him to death.
2. and
tickle someone
to pieces Fig. to please someone a great deal. (See also
tickle someone pink.)
What you told her just tickled her to death! That story just tickles me to pieces. tickle the ivories
to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice. She sat down to tickle the ivories for a while.
tickled pink
Fig. very much pleased or entertained. I was tickled pink to have you visit us. We were tickled pink when your flowers arrived.
tickled to death
(spoken) very pleased We were tickled to death that she finally got the Tony award for best actress.
tickle the ivories
to play the piano
She writes and produces her own music, and also tickles the ivories on her new album. Usage notes: usually refers to playing the piano informally rather than in a concert
Etymology: from the literal meaning of ivories (piano keys)
take/tickle somebody's fancy
(informal) if something takes someone's fancy, they suddenly think it seems interesting She's got enough money to buy whatever takes her fancy.
tickle/tinkle the ivories
(humorous) to play the piano
Usage notes: The parts of a piano that you press to play it used to be made of a hard white substance called ivory.
Grandma could tickle the ivories like a professional. slap and tickle
(mainly British old-fashioned, humorous) sexual activity that is not serious They were having a bit of slap and tickle on the sofa when I walked in.
be tickled pink/to death
(old-fashioned) to be extremely pleased about something Val was tickled pink when Susan asked her to be bridesmaid at her wedding.
tickled pink
Also, tickled to death. Delighted, as in I was tickled pink when I got his autograph, or His parents were tickled to death when he decided to marry her. The first term, first recorded in 1922, alludes to one's face turning pink with laughter when one is being tickled. The variant, clearly a hyperbole, dates from about 1800.
tickle one's fancy
Appeal to one, be to one's liking, as in That joke tickled my fancy. This term uses fancy in the sense of "liking" or "taste." [Second half of 1700s]
tickle the ivories
Play the piano, as in He went on tickling the ivories until three in the morning. This expression alludes to a piano's keys, traditionally made of ivory. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
tickle the ivories
tv. to play the piano. I used to be able to tickle the ivories real nice.
tickled (pink)
mod. amused; utterly delighted; pleased. I am tickled pink you could come this evening.
tickled
verb tickled pink
Informal Very pleased; delighted: I was tickled pink by the compliment.