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What is 'tongue-in-cheek'?

When something is said 'tongue-in-cheek', it means it's intended as a joke, often with a hint of irony or sarcasm, rather than being meant seriously. Bosworth suggested the employee's question about extra holiday days was 'tongue-in-cheek', implying it wasn't a serious proposal but a lighthearted, perhaps provocative, comment.

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