crack wise

present singular third person cracks wise · participle present cracking wise · participle past cracked wise · past cracked wise

1. intransitiveTo make a sarcastic, flippant, or sardonic comment.

   Reagan displayed his usual aplomb and even cracked wise about his age at a White House banquet.

   1985 August 5, Jacob V. Lamar Jr., “Coming Along Just Fine”, in Time

   1 more example

   "Whenever I commit a crime?" expostulated Paul. "Where do you get that stuff, Ferret?" / "Out of me nut, kiddo. Why don't you stop cracking wise, and go back to the ribbon counter?"

   1917, George Bronson-Howard, Slaves of the Lamp

   Synonyms: wisecrack