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Laughing on the other side of your face

Posted by Smokey Stover on April 04, 2006

In Reply to: Laughing on the other side of your face posted by Bruce Kahl on April 03, 2006

: : What does the phrase "laughing on the other side of your face" mean? Used in cases where someone dismisses being laughed at themself. I've never understood this one. Where did it originate? Thanks for any help.

: #1---If you meet someone who is happy and you tell them that they will be laughing on the other side of their face, you are angry about the thing that is making them happy and think that something will soon happen to upset them:
: "You'll be laughing out of the other side of your face if you fail your exams."

: #2---It is used to tell someone that although they are pleased now, they will not be pleased later when things do not happen as they expected or planned:
: "She's pleased with her promotion but she'll be laughing on the other side of her face when she sees the extra work."

Sometimes takes the form of "laughing out of the other side of your mouth." SS

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