tongue in cheek
Advanced (C1) neutral
Said as a joke or with irony, not sincerely.
"His suggestion that the boss should take a pay cut was entirely tongue in cheek."
Hear it in context
THE 6 BIGGEST SURPRISES FROM ROUND 1 OF THE NHL PLAYOFFS SO FAR! | BarDown Podcast
BarDown · 33:32
and maybe this is more tongue in cheek Michkov for Shane Wright,
1975: Fyfe Robertson and the Aeroplane | Robbie | BBC Archive
BBC Archive · 26:47
or week [music] to week with hand on heart or tongue in cheek.
Inside Nike's worst crisis ever
Search Party · 3:46
Spike Lee directed commercials that were both at the same time tongue in cheek,
Spartan Chatter: Edge of Dawn
HALO · 8:43
and I'm saying this tongue in cheek, but Chief needs a nap, man.
We Filmed Our Studio Like an Episode of The Office (for 1 year)
The Studio · 12:24
Like there's so much we could do that it would be tongue in cheek.