What it means
To laugh your head off means to laugh absolutely loads. We’re talking full wheeze, tears in your eyes, maybe slapping the table because your body’s given up acting normal. It’s exaggerated on purpose, obviously your head’s staying put, but it’s what you say when something’s got you properly helpless.
Usage examples
"Nearly spat my drink out, I laughed my head off when Gaz slipped on a soggy chip outside the chippy and started arguing with the pavement."
"We laughed our heads off at his impression of the boss."
"That video of Liam trying to act normal after walking into the glass door had us laughing our heads off all night."
"Mum started doing Dad's accent at dinner and I nearly choked, I was laughing my head off."
"I laughed my head off when Shan tried to act cool, missed the chair completely, then pretended he meant to sit on the floor."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
This one’s been around in English for ages as a playful bit of overstatement. It follows the same old comic pattern as phrases like laugh your ass off, where the joke is that you’re laughing so hard a body part might come off. Nobody means it literally. It just cranks the laughter right up.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
