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to laugh on the other side of one's face
to laugh on the other side of one's face
01
to say that someone's happiness or success will not last long as the situation is about to change
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "laugh on the other side of one's face" and when to use it?
The idiom "laugh on the other side of one's face" is derived from the idea that a person's expression changes from one of happiness or amusement to one of disappointment or dejection. It is thought to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. The expression is used to suggest that someone's initial joy or optimism gives way to a less favorable outcome, causing their expression to shift from laughter to a more somber expression.
Examples
The league leaders will be laughing on the other side of their faces if they lose tomorrow.
