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Gallows Humor

What Does "Gallows Humor" Mean?

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"Gallows humor" is an English idiom. It means "a type of humor that makes light of serious or distressing situations, often used as a coping mechanism in difficult or dangerous circumstances."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "gallows humor" used in a sentence:
  • In the face of the pandemic, healthcare workers used gallows humor to relieve stress and maintain their spirits.
  • Soldiers on the front lines often rely on gallows humor to cope with the challenges of war.
  • Comedians sometimes use gallows humor to address sensitive topics and provoke thought.
meaning for gallows humor

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Gallows Humor" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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