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Ask for help > What is "the joke was on me"?
What is "the joke was on me"?
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Anna P
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What is "the joke was on me"?
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I have one teenager student who enjoys learning English through songs. I am preparing a worksheet for her with the song �How Do I Breathe � (Mario) and I got stuck with the definition of "the joke was on me". I know what it means but I am having a hard time putting it in words. Can anybody help me?
Thanks |
16 Mar 2009
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libertybelle
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We usually say that if you play on joke on someone and it backfires, then the joke is on you.
(or in the first person singular -past tense - the joke was on me)
This guy let their relationship die out and now she �s gone and found someone else.
It �s not really a joke on him, but he is missing the love of his live.
He could just as well be singing "How can I go on living without you?"
So he took her for granted and now she �s gone, and he �s the lonely one now.
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16 Mar 2009
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brookee
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It is hard to put in words, I agree.
This is the best definition I found...
http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheJokesOnYou/zqbkw/post.htm
What does "on you" mean in the sentence "the joke �s on you"?
It means that you are the butt or victim of the joke. The expression is often used in situations where the victim of the joke first thinks that someone else is the victim.
The expression is used in speaking of funny situations, and sometimes of situations that are not really funny. There can be an element of unkindness, of vindictiveness. eg
~~Brooke |
16 Mar 2009
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libertybelle
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Hey Brookee - that �s kinda what I wrote above.
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16 Mar 2009
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Anna P
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Libertybelle and Brooke,
Thanks to you, my American friends, my worksheet is done!
Hugs,
Anna |
16 Mar 2009
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