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Idiom: broke as a joke



 
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Idiom: broke as a joke #1 (permalink) Thu Feb 10, 2011 14:22 pm   Idiom: broke as a joke
 

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #311 "English Slang Idioms (32)", question 3

He told them that he couldn't afford to go to the concert. He had just paid for car repairs and he was now broke as a ..........

(a) bun
(b) tool
(c) bear
(d) joke

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #311 "English Slang Idioms (32)", answer 3

He told them that he couldn't afford to go to the concert. He had just paid for car repairs and he was now broke as a joke.

Correct answer: (d) joke
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http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/broke+as+a+joke+and+it+ain't+funny.html
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Idiom: broke as a joke #2 (permalink) Thu Feb 10, 2011 14:27 pm   Idiom: broke as a joke
 

Who wrote this explanation says: In my opinion this idiom describes...

Even what explanations can exist?

Thanks:
kati Svaby
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Idiom: broke as a joke #3 (permalink) Thu Feb 10, 2011 19:10 pm   Idiom: broke as a joke
 

Hello Kati,

I have never heard this idiom, but to me it simply means 'I'm completely broke'.
Obviously the writer of that answer wasn't absolutely sure of the meaning, so he clarified that it was his opinion only.

Perhaps you would prefer this definition?
http://www.kgbanswers.com/where-did-the-saying-broke-as-a-joke-come-from/4408544
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Idiom: broke as a joke #4 (permalink) Thu Feb 10, 2011 21:16 pm   Idiom: broke as a joke
 

I have never heard anyone use this expression as an idiom, either.

'Broke as a Joke' is apparently the name of a sort of TV series (web-based) from ca. 2009. However, I had never heard of that before, either. I found just now it in a Google search. lol

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