Make Fun Of – Meaning and Examples
People sometimes joke about each other’s habits, appearance, or mistakes in social situations. In English, we say they make fun of each other. This common idiom describes both friendly teasing and hurtful mocking in daily interactions.
What Does “Make Fun Of” Mean?
“Make fun of” means to joke about someone or something, often by laughing at them or pointing out their unusual qualities. Think of it like friends gently teasing each other about their quirks. It can be friendly and playful, or it can be mean and hurtful depending on context and tone.
When to Use It
Use this idiom when describing friendly teasing between close friends. Use it when talking about bullying or hurtful mocking. Use it in situations where people are being laughed at. The meaning can be positive or negative depending on the relationship between people and their intentions.
Example Sentences
- The children made fun of his new haircut.
- My friends always make fun of me for being late all the time.
- It’s not nice to make fun of someone’s accent.
- We make fun of each other’s cooking mistakes, but it’s all in good humor.
Mini Dialogue
Maria: “Why does Jake look so upset?”
David: “Some kids were making fun of his glasses during recess. It really hurt his feelings.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom can describe both positive and negative situations. Pay attention to context to understand whether the teasing is friendly or hurtful.
❌ Don’t say: “Let’s make fun of at the party tonight.” (The idiom requires an object—who or what is being made fun of).
✅ Do say: “My brother and I make fun of each other’s taste in music, but we’re just joking around.”
Practice Tip
Think about the difference between friendly teasing and hurtful mocking. Create two sentences: one about positive teasing between friends (“My best friend and I make fun of each other’s…”) and one about negative mocking (“It’s never okay to make fun of someone’s…”). This helps you understand the idiom’s range of meanings.
Final Note
You now know how to use “make fun of” to describe both friendly teasing and hurtful mocking. This common phrase will help you talk about social interactions where people joke about each other. Remember that context and relationship determine whether this idiom describes harmless fun or hurtful behavior!
