laugh out of the other side of your face/mouth, you’ll/to
Laugh out of the other side of your face/mouth, you’ll/to - You’ll be sorry; to feel anger, annoyance, or disappointment after having felt happy. This term dates from the seventeenth century and was spelled out by Giovanni Torriano (1666): “The English say, when one has conveniently reveng’d oneself on another, now you can laugh but on one side of your mouth.” Later, it was sometimes put as laughing on the wrong side of one’s mouth.
Similar Terms, Proverbs, and Expressions:
- Count your chickens before they hatch: Don’t assume you’ll get something before it actually happens.
- Pride comes before a fall: Overconfidence may lead to failure.
- Turn the tables: Reverse a situation to one’s advantage.
- Don’t get cocky (Star Wars reference from Han Solo): Don’t become overconfident because circumstances can change.
Quotes to Tickle Your Funny Bone:
- “They’ll laugh themselves into stitches, then cry into Band-Aids.”
- “When joy does a handstand and turns into gloom on the flip side!”
- “Smiling now, but you’re in for a frown flip!”
Synonyms:
- Eat humble pie
- Face the music
- Taste one’s own medicine
- Get a dose of reality
Antonyms:
- Jump for joy
- Be over the moon
- Laugh heartily
Inspirational Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: A tale highlighting how initial joy can quickly transform into regret under the wrong circumstances.
- “Othello” by Shakespeare: Explores themes of jealousy and revenge, perfect matches to learn this phrase.
- “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas: A masterclass in waiting for someone to laugh from the other side of their mouth.
- Song: “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor: A tune that would resonate after someone laughs from the other side of their face.
- Movie: “Mean Girls”: Watch Regina George’s journey and wait for those moments she might just laugh out of the other side of her mouth.
### Which character from literature is likely to make someone laugh out the other side of their mouth?
- [ ] Harry Potter
- [ ] Frodo Baggins
- [x] The Count of Monte Cristo
- [ ] Bilbo Baggins
> **Explanation:** The Count of Monte Cristo is a master of orchestrating revenge in which his enemies ultimately laugh out the other side of their faces.
### Which of these idioms also means experiencing regret after joy?
- [x] Eat humble pie
- [ ] Jump for joy
- [ ] Be over the moon
- [ ] Dance in the rain
> **Explanation:** "Eat humble pie" involves feeling regret or humility after a previous display of arrogance or confidence.
### True or False: 'Jump for joy' is an antonym for 'laugh out of the other side of your face.'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** While "laugh out of the other side of your face" involves a reversal of joy to regret, "jump for joy" means to be extremely happy—making them opposites.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell:
“Sometimes life flips the coin from heads to tails faster than we can brace ourselves. Stay grounded, stay humble, and when you feel joy, make sure it’s anchored in something steady enough that no winds of change can blow it to the other side of your face.”
— Sylvester 👋
