Meaning of step on the laughs | Babel Free

Definitions

To tell jokes too rapidly when performing comedy, failing to milk the maximum laughter from the audience.

Examples

“"The timing is very different — at first I was speaking too quickly, stepping on the laughs," said Mr. Jillette. "So I'd wait, and I thought, my God, I'm turning into Shecky Greene here, standing and waiting for the laughs."”

“"Now remember, Candy," my father warned me sternly, "wait till it's quiet to say your lines. Don't step on the laughs."”

“Don't “step on the laughs” just because you are long on content and short on time.”

CEFR level