joke

be no joke

(informal)be a serious matter or difficult undertaking

(非正式)严肃的事；不轻松的事；困难的事

trying to shop with three children in tow is no joke.

要带着三个孩子去买东西可不是件轻松的事。

get (或be) beyond a joke

(informal)become (or be) something that is serious or worrying

(非正式)（变成）严肃的事，令人担心的事

this rain's getting beyond a joke.

这场雨越来越让人担心了。

make a joke of

laugh or be humorous about (something that is not funny in itself)

对（并不好笑的事）以笑（或幽默地）对待，一笑置之