Great Jokes Hiding in Idioms

Great Jokes Hiding in Idioms – Technique 1

7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques Course

Great Jokes Hiding in Idioms – Technique 1, is from the 7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques Course will give you a peek behind the curtain of professional joke writing.

Idiotic Idioms are one of those “aha!” joke writing techniques that’s so obvious, once you know it, you’ll wonder how you never thought of it before. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of stand-up comedy writing, and here’s the crazy part — you use these all the time in regular conversation. You just didn’t realize they were goldmines for jokes.

Let me explain. Idioms are those quirky, colorful phrases we toss around every day:

“If at first you don’t succeed … try, try again.”
“It cost me an arm and a leg”
“Hit the hay”
“Let the cat out of the bag”
“Kick the bucket”

Let’s look at a simple, original joke created using this technique by using an idiom as a setup:

Setup: “If at first you don’t succeed…

That’s easy enough. Now you know everyone is thinking, “try, try, again,” which is the one thing that won’t be your punchline. To create surprise, just go to an opposite or contrary idea to write a punchline. For instances:

Setup: “If at first you don’t succeed…
Punchlines: “Give up!”

“Blame someone else.”

“Get out of bed and go home.”

The audience thinks they know where you’re going… and BAM! You shatter their expectations.

And that right there is why we call it Idiotic Idioms. Because when you take idioms at face value, you unlock punchlines that practically write themselves.

But here’s the kicker: that’s just one of seven techniques I teach in the course. And this one alone can give you dozens of jokes in just a few minutes once you get the hang of it.

Why This Works Like Comedy Jet Fuel

If you’re an aspiring comedian, you might be thinking, “I get the concept… but can I actually do this?”

Yes. You can.

The “7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques” course is built to help anyone — even if you’ve never written a single joke, you can learn to write original jokes in minutes.

✅ You’ll learn what only professional comedians know.
✅ You’ll punch up your comedy routines.
✅ You’ll finally feel confident on the stand-up comedy stage — or open mics.
✅ You’ll go from thinking you’re funny to actually writing jokes that land.

Why Idioms Matter in the Comedy World

Idioms are our shared language. They’re part of our culture. When anyone hears an idiom, they instantly understand what it means and believe you’re going to continue along that same line of thought.

So when you subvert that understanding with a ridiculous or literal interpretation, you’re using the audience’s assumptions against them — and that’s what makes it funny. Jokes are all about surprise. The Idiotic Idioms technique builds an automatic expectation that you can easily turn into a joke.

Setup: “Whoever said, ‘Silence is golden.’”
Punchline: “Wasn’t a comedian.”

This technique is so powerful that it’s used in late night comedy writing rooms. It’s how comedy monologues get filled with laugh-after-laugh momentum. It works for club comics, TV writers, MCs, openers, features, and headliners alike. And it works FAST.

From Beginner to Joke Machine in Minutes

The course is made up of mini-lessons — most are under 4 minutes — so it’s super quick to watch and easy to practice. Each technique includes:

A short video from me (Greg Dean) breaking it down.
A free downloadable workbook where you’ll try out the techniques.
Practice drills so you can generate several jokes per lesson.
Tips on how to integrate the jokes into your set or monologue.
Real-life video examples from working comics and comedy legends.

Yes, these techniques are used by some of the top comedians. Included are video clips from Stephen Wright, Taylor Tomlinson, Dana Gould, Trevor Noah, Ali Wong, and Jimmy Carr.

But Wait — Why Isn’t Everyone Doing This?

Aspiring comedians think writing jokes is just about “being funny.” But that’s not enough. What you need is a system. A structure. An approach you can use again and again to turn ideas into laughs.

The “7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques Course” are exactly that system. They’re the shortcut I wish I had when I was starting out. If you want to get funnier faster, this is the roadmap. And I’ll be blunt — if you’re not intelligent, don’t take this course. This is for comedians who want to grow, challenge themselves, and learn from the best.

We’re not just teaching how to write a joke. We’re teaching how to build a show with 5+ laughs per minute — something even experienced comedians struggle to do consistently.

Be Prepared for Anything

Comedy is changing. Audiences are smarter. And tv shows and social media are eating up material faster than any time in history. If you want to stay up, you need tools that give you an edge.

You’ve just learned a taste of one technique — Idiotic Idioms — and already, you probably see the possibilities. Now imagine having 6 more techniques like this at your fingertips.

This isn’t just for comedians. It’s also for:

Speakers who want to be funnier on stage.
Writers who want to add comedy to their stories.
Content Creators who need punchlines fast.
Anyone who wants to get funnier, faster — with jokes that work every time.

And hundreds more who now write for television, headline comedy clubs, tour internationally, or just light up every open mic they attend. They didn’t guess their way into great jokes. They learned a system from me. And now you can, too.

Want to Save 7 Years of Trial and Error?

This is the part that still shocks people: These 7 techniques — including Idiotic Idioms — are the result of over 40 years of teaching, writing, testing, and performing. If you tried to figure it all out yourself, it could take 7 years (or longer). But with this course, you can learn the whole system in a single weekend.

That’s not a gimmick. That’s the power of understanding and practicing these 7 techniques. Do the course. Practice the drills. Use the workbook. And you’ll have more usable, original jokes in a week than most comics write in a year.

Ready to Learn the Secret Techniques of the Pros?

Join the “7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques Course” today — and become the comic you were meant to be. And remember…

You don’t have to be born funny.
You just have to be taught to be funny.
And that’s exactly what I do.

Click on this link: 7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques Course and join all the working comedians who know how to write material and make people laugh.

Or use the QR Code.

If you’re not convinced, then continue reading the next blog, 7 Instant Joke Writing Techniques Blog Series – Technique 3: Consult the Dictionary for Funny