don't know whether to cry or laugh; ridiculous
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Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
don't know whether to cry or laugh; between tears and laughter; both funny and embarrassing
Describes a situation that is so absurd, pathetic, or embarrassing that one cannot decide whether to react with tears or laughter. Often used to describe ironic, awkward, or farcical situations.
Zhè这
chǎng场
nào闹
jù剧
de的
jié结
wěi尾
ràng让
rén人
tí啼
xiào笑
jiē皆
fēi非
。
The ending of this farce left people not knowing whether to cry or laugh.
Tīng听
dào到
zhè这
ge个
tí啼
xiào笑
jiē皆
fēi非
de的
jiě解
shì释
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
wú无
yǔ语
le了
。
Hearing this ridiculous explanation, everyone was left speechless.
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Tā他
bǎ把
shì事
qíng情
gǎo搞
de得
yī一
tuán团
zāo糟
，
jié结
guǒ果
tí啼
xiào笑
jiē皆
fēi非
。
He made a complete mess of things, resulting in a ridiculous situation.
Zhè这
shì是
yī一
duàn段
tí啼
xiào笑
jiē皆
fēi非
de的
jīng经
lì历
，
ràng让
tā他
zhōng终
shēng生
nán难
wàng忘
。
This was a farcical experience that he would never forget for the rest of his life.