Traditional✓ Culturally verified
“Tek bad tings mek laugh.”
Use bad things to make a laugh.
What does “Tek bad tings mek laugh” mean?
Laugh to cover disappointment or to ease a painful situation.
English translation
Use bad things to make a laugh.
Understanding the expression
A testament to Jamaican resilience: finding humour helps people carry hardship.
When to use it: an illustrative example
"Di car bruk down, rain a fall, an mi lose mi phone." — "Well, tek bad tings mek laugh — at least yuh have a story fi tell."
Partner proverb
Every proverb has its partner
“Tek bad tings mek laugh.”
“Tek kin teet kibba heart bun.”
Use a smile to cover a heartache.
Shared wisdom: Smile or laugh to cover up disappointment or ease a heart-rending situation.
View partner proverb →Good for
Encouragement
Topics
Explore more Jamaican sayings
Attribution and review
Traditional Jamaican proverb