laugh down
LowFormal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To dismiss, silence, or discourage someone or their idea, proposal, or statement by laughing at them in a scornful or mocking way.
To use collective or public laughter as a means of social control, suppression, or humiliation, often preventing further expression of an unpopular or unconventional view.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase implies a power dynamic where laughter is wielded as a weapon by a group or audience against an individual or minority opinion. It is often used in historical, political, or rhetorical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary texts.
Connotations
Connotes a deliberate, often cruel, act of suppression through social ridicule.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary spoken language in both varieties; primarily found in written narratives, political commentary, and historical accounts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: Group] laugh down [Object: Person/Proposal]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Laugh someone/something out of court”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Conflict is addressed through formal procedures, not public ridicule.
Academic
Used in historical or sociological analysis of public discourse, social movements, and rhetoric.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Simpler phrases like 'they just laughed at my idea' are used instead.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The House of Commons famously laughed down the early proposals for women's suffrage.
- His eccentric plan was quickly laughed down by the board of directors.
American English
- The city council laughed down the activist's radical proposal.
- The veteran comedian was not about to be laughed down by a rowdy audience.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- When she suggested a four-day work week, her colleagues just laughed her down.
- The young inventor's bold claims were laughed down by the established scientists at the conference.
- Attempts to reform the archaic procedure were repeatedly laughed down by traditionalists in the assembly, who viewed any change with contemptuous amusement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a person on a stage trying to speak, but a WAVE of laughter from the audience pushes them DOWN off the stage.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (laughter is a weapon), SOCIAL APPROVAL IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (laughter is a force that pushes down).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as "смеяться вниз". The concept is closer to "осмеять и заставить замолчать" or "заглушить смехом".
Common Mistakes
- Using it in casual conversation where 'laugh at' is sufficient.
- Using it without a direct object (e.g., 'They just laughed down' is incomplete).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'laugh down' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is quite rare in modern everyday English. It is more likely found in formal writing, historical accounts, or political commentary.
No, it strongly implies an action by a group, audience, or collective. A single person would 'laugh at' someone.
'Laugh at' means to ridicule or find someone/something amusing. 'Laugh down' is more specific and forceful; it means to use that laughter to actively suppress, silence, or defeat.
Yes, it is separable. You can say 'The crowd laughed the speaker down' or 'The crowd laughed down the speaker'. The former is slightly more common.