# 一笑置之

yī xiào zhì zhī

Set something aside with a smile

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Smile once and put it aside

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe choosing not to dwell on a minor remark or setback.

Do not dismiss another person's important concern this way.

## The image & its use

A smile accompanies the decision to put a matter down rather than carry it through the day. The expression can show composure when a small annoyance does not deserve more attention. It may also sound dismissive if the issue matters to someone else. Its appropriateness depends on what is being set aside. A harmless teasing remark differs from feedback that could improve a piece of work or repair a misunderstanding.

## Examples

对这句玩笑，他一笑置之。

### Traditional Chinese

對這句玩笑，他一笑置之。

duì zhè jù wán xiào ， tā yī xiào zhì zhī 。

He smiled and let the joke pass.

小小的失误，她一笑置之后重新尝试。

### Traditional Chinese

小小的失誤，她一笑置之後重新嘗試。

xiǎo xiǎo de shī wù ， tā yī xiào zhì zhī hòu chóng xīn cháng shì 。

She smiled at the small mistake and tried again.

别人的随口评价，我只一笑置之。

### Traditional Chinese

別人的隨口評價，我只一笑置之。

bié rén de suí kǒu píng jià ， wǒ zhī yī xiào zhì zhī 。

I simply smile and move on from casual comments.

认真提出的建议不能一笑置之。

### Traditional Chinese

認真提出的建議不能一笑置之。

rèn zhēn tí chū de jiàn yì bù néng yī xiào zhì zhī 。

A carefully offered suggestion should not be brushed aside.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1059&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%80%E7%AC%91%E7%BD%AE%E4%B9%8B)

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