No laughing matter meaning in English
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Definition
This is no laughing matter!: This is a serious issue! You should not be laughing about this issue!
a matter: an issue, a question, a problem, a topic, a subject
Examples
- "You may think that this is some sort of joke, but this is no laughing matter."
- "Burglary rates in the US are no laughing matter, especially in large cities."
- "Remember, American politics is no laughing matter."
Exercise 1
If something is no laughing matter, it is .
If something is no laughing matter, it is very serious.
very serious: This is correct. If something is "no laughing matter", it is something to be taken seriously, or something which should not be considered a joke. Lawrence is pointing out to the Delavigne staff that these exercises are to be taken seriously.
fun: Although it does use the term "laughing", this expression actually indicates that a subject is to be taken seriously and is not in fact a "joke" or something which is funny or amusing.
difficult: Lawrence's expression doesn't indicate that the exercises won't be difficult, but rather that they are meant to be taken seriously.
funny: Although it does use the term "laughing", this expression actually indicates that a subject is to be taken seriously and is not in fact a "joke" or something which is funny or amusing.
Exercise 2
Choose the best word from the Good Day USA CD to fit each blank in the dialogue below.
Rachel: Have you been to the new amusement park? I hear they have some pretty rides, so if you like to live dangerously, you should check it out.
Mark: I heard the roller coaster is guaranteed to make you vomit. The amusement park must be sadistic Republicans.
Rachel: Hey! You shouldn't make fun of political views. Republicans are no .
Rachel: Have you been to the new amusement park? I hear they have some pretty rides, so if you like to live dangerously, you should check it out.
Mark: I heard the roller coaster is guaranteed to make you vomit. The amusement park must be sadistic Republicans.
Rachel: Hey! You shouldn't make fun of political views. Republicans are no .
Choose the best word from the Good Day USA CD to fit each blank in the dialogue below.
Rachel: Have you been to the new amusement park? I hear they have some pretty wild 1 rides, so if you like to live dangerously, you should check it out.
Mark: I heard the roller coaster is guaranteed to make you vomit. The amusement park must be run by 2 sadistic Republicans.
Rachel: Hey! You shouldn't make fun of political views. Republicans are no laughing matter 3.
Rachel: Have you been to the new amusement park? I hear they have some pretty wild 1 rides, so if you like to live dangerously, you should check it out.
Mark: I heard the roller coaster is guaranteed to make you vomit. The amusement park must be run by 2 sadistic Republicans.
Rachel: Hey! You shouldn't make fun of political views. Republicans are no laughing matter 3.
1 wild: This is the best choice. "Wild ride" is a common expression in English, meaning a particularly fun and stimulating experience, with just a hint of danger. It can very well be applied to amusement park attractions, such as roller coasters.
1 anarchist: This word wouldn't fit well here. "Anarchist" can be used to mean "lawless or without rules", but it generally refers to people or organizations, rather than things such as amusement part rides.
1 delicate: This word doesn't fit well here. A ride in an amusement park is generally sturdy and sensational; "delicate" means "fragile or sensitive".
2 run by: This choice is correct. If something, such as a business, is "run by" someone, such as Bruno Delavigne, then it is "directed by" or "controlled by" this person. Example: "This factory is run by Mrs Lee: she's the Factory Manager."
2 offending: This choice doesn't make sense here. An amusement park would not be likely to offend anyone. Moreover, this choice is grammatically incorrect in this sentence.
2 viewed by: Many people can view, or observe, an amusement park, but those onlookers would not be responsible for the park's operation. We need a choice that indicates who is responsible for the park.
3 laughing matter: This is the correct choice here. Mark, like many Americans, is offended by jokes directed against a political party. If we say that something is "no laughing matter", we mean that it should be taken seriously, not lightly.
3 social situations: No, this choice wouldn't make sense.
3 topic of conversation: This is not what Clyde is trying to say. He doesn't necessarily object to talking about Republicans, but he is against making fun of them.
Exercise 3
If something is no laughing matter, it is .
If something is no laughing matter, it is very serious.
very serious: This is correct. If something is "no laughing matter", it is something to be taken seriously, or something which should not be considered a joke. Lawrence is pointing out to the Delavigne staff that these exercises are to be taken seriously.
fun: Although it does use the term "laughing", this expression actually indicates that a subject is to be taken seriously and is not in fact a "joke" or something which is funny or amusing.
difficult: Lawrence's expression doesn't indicate that the exercises won't be difficult, but rather that they are meant to be taken seriously.
funny: Although it does use the term "laughing", this expression actually indicates that a subject is to be taken seriously and is not in fact a "joke" or something which is funny or amusing.
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