The idiom "joke's on me" means that someone has been made to look foolish, primarily when they intended to make someone else look ridiculous. It can also be used to admit that one was wrong or mistaken about something and that everyone else was right.

In short:

• It means making another person look silly, but ends up looking silly themselves.
• It can also mean people are wrong or mistaken about something, and everyone else is right.

What Does "Joke's on Me" Mean?

When someone looks silly, especially when they try to make someone else look ridiculous, they can say, "joke's on me". This idiom can also be used to say that one was wrong or mistaken and everyone else was right.

Where Does "Joke's on Me" Come From?

The origin of the idiom "joke's on me" is not very clear, but it seems to date back to at least the 19th century. One possible source is a poem by Robert Browning called "A Toccata of Galuppi's," published in 1855. In the poem, the speaker imagines the life and music of an Italian composer from the 18th century and wonders what happened to his listeners after they died.

10 Examples of "Joke's on Me" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the idiom in sentences:

• Oh, snap. I thought I could beat him at chess, but he was a master. The joke's on me.
• I baked a cake for her birthday, but she was allergic to nuts. It sucks ass. The joke's on me.
• About last night, I ordered a pizza online, but I entered the wrong address. The joke's on me.
• I applied for a job at a prestigious company, but I forgot to attach my resume. The joke's on me.
• I couldn't bear it when she said she loved me but used me to make her ex jealous. The joke's on me.
• I booked a flight to Paris but forgot to check the visa requirements in a time crunch. The joke's on me.
• She said she was going to the library but went to an evening out with her friends. The joke was on me.
• The joke's on me. I thought we were a perfect match for each other. But she's in love with another one.
• My bad. I tried to scare my sister by jumping out of the closet, but she was not in her room. The joke's on me.
• He promised to help me with my homework, but he copied it from the internet and got caught. That's too bad. The joke's on me.

Examples of "Joke's on Me" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has appeared in various forms of pop culture:

• In the TV show "Friends," Chandler tries to break up with his girlfriend Janice by telling her that he is moving to Yemen. However, she insists on going to the airport with him and seeing him off. Chandler realizes he has no choice but to board the plane and go to Yemen. The joke's on Chandler, who has made a massive mistake by lying to Janice.
• In the book "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," Harry finds out that Professor Quirrell is the one who has been trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone, not Professor Snape as he suspected. Quirrell says: "Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? It's so useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-stuttering P-Professor Quirrell?" The joke's on Harry, who Quirrell's act has fooled.
• In the song "Joke's On You!" by Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), she sings: "I'm so sick of being played like a violin / What do I gotta do to get in your motherfuckin' heart? / Baby like ah woo ah / Don't you know I bite when the sun sets? Yeah / So don't you try to come around me / Might work with her but not me / Got me falling for ya with those eyes / Nothing can get better than this / Baby I'm just making a mess / Joke's on you!". She expresses her frustration and anger at being mistreated by the Joker but also says she will not let him hurt her anymore.

Other/Different Ways to Say "Joke's on Me"

Here are some synonyms for the idiom:

• I was fooled
• I was wrong
• I was backfired
• I was outsmarted
• I was served right

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Joke's on Me"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the idiom:

• What does "joke's on me" mean?

The idiom "joke's on me" means that someone has been made to look foolish, primarily when they intended to make someone else look ridiculous. It can also be used to admit that one was wrong or mistaken about something and that everyone else was right.

• What is the origin of the phrase "joke's on me"?

The origin of the idiom "joke's on me" is not very clear, but it seems to date back to at least the 19th century. One possible source is a poem by Robert Browning called "A Toccata of Galuppi's," published in 1855. In the poem, the speaker imagines the life and music of an Italian composer from the 18th century and wonders what happened to his listeners after they died.

• What are some synonyms for "joke" in the expression "joke's on me"?

Some synonyms for "joke" in the expression "joke's on me" are "trick," "prank," "hoax," "gag," and "stunt."

• What are some antonyms for "joke's on me"?
  

Some antonyms for "joke's on me" are "I had the last laugh," "I turned the tables," and "I got the better of him/her/them."

• What is the difference between "joke's on me" and "joke's on you"?

The difference between "joke's on me" and "joke's on you" is the perspective and the target of the joke. When someone says "joke's on me," they are admitting that they are the one who has been fooled or embarrassed by their actions or words. When someone says "joke's on you," they are telling someone else that they are the one who has been fooled or embarrassed by their actions or words.

• Is "joke's on me" a positive or negative expression?

The expression "joke's on me" is usually negative, implying that someone has been made to look foolish, primarily when they intended to make someone else look ridiculous. It can also mean someone has been wrong or mistaken about something, and everyone else knows it. However, sometimes, the expression can be used positively or humorously to show humility, self-deprecation, or acceptance of one's mistakes.

• How do you use "joke's on me" in a sentence?

To use "joke's on me" in a sentence, you need to have a subject (usually a pronoun) and a verb (usually in the past tense) that indicate what action or word caused the person to be fooled or embarrassed. Then, you add the expression "joke's on me" at the end of the sentence or as a separate sentence.

• In what situations can you use "joke's on me"?

Some situations where you can use "joke's on me" are: When you try to prank someone, but it backfires on you. When you make a prediction or a bet, but it turns out to be wrong. When you boast or brag about something, but it turns out to be false or exaggerated. When you try to impress someone, but it turns out to be a disaster. When you make a mistake or an error, and everyone else notices it.

• What other idioms have a similar meaning to "joke's on me"?

Some other idioms that have a similar meaning to "joke's on me" are "I was hoist with my own petard," "I shot myself in the foot," and "I dug my own grave."

• How do you say "joke's on me" in other languages?

Spanish: La broma es para mí / El chiste es para mí / Me salió el tiro por la culata
French: La blague est pour moi / La plaisanterie est pour moi / Je me suis fait avoir
Italian: La barzelletta è per me / Lo scherzo è per me / Mi sono fregato da solo
Portuguese: A piada é para mim / A brincadeira é para mim / Eu me dei mal

Final Thoughts About "Joke's on Me"

The idiom "joke's on me" is a common way of expressing that someone has been made to look foolish, especially when they intend to make someone else look silly. It can also be used to admit that one was wrong or mistaken about something and that everyone else was right.

Key points to remember about the idiom:

• It can be used with different pronouns depending on who is the joke's target.
• It has been used in various literature, music, and media forms.
• It has some related expressions that have a similar meaning.
• It has some synonyms that can be used interchangeably.
• It has some antonyms that indicate the opposite meaning.