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Glite Dictionary
to poke in the ribs

to poke in the ribs

1 6.0
Push someone's side with a finger to get their attention or make them laugh
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : dar un codazo
  • To tease her friend, Julie poked him in the ribs and smiled.

Examples

  • He poked him in the ribs.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • She poked him in the ribs to get his attention during the movie.

  • "His father poked him in the ribs."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I poked him in the ribs and said, "You owe me a drink."

    Blog text (7)

  • His buddies poked him in the ribs and guffawed.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Yeah, hi, reddening as one of his buddies poked him in the ribs and the guys moved on together, eyeing Doll-girl in that way that scared and excited me like somebody bringing a lighted match up close to my hair:

    Fiction book (1995)

  • When he was daydreaming, she playfully poked him in the ribs.

Synonyms

to nudge
vsto poke in the ribs
33 3.8

To push someone gently with an elbow or hand to get attention

is a playful push aimed into a person's side to attract attention
to jab
vsto poke in the ribs
19 3.3

To poke quickly and sharply with a finger, hand, or object

is a gentle playful side touch meant to attract attention not a sharp strike
to poke at
vsto poke in the ribs
9 2.5

Push gently at something or someone with a finger

is a playful side touch used to attract attention rather than general touching
to prod
vsto poke in the ribs
4 3.7

To poke a person, animal, or object with a stick

is a playful side touch meant to attract attention rather than urging action

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to leave alone
∞ 2.3

To avoid touching and disturbing a person, animal or object

How Forceful

jab
16 3.0
to prod
4 3.7
to poke in the ribs
  • Informal
1 6.0
to nudge
33 3.8
to tap
174 1.0
to touch
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

poke in the ribs infinitive
poked in the ribs past
poked in the ribs past participle
poking in the ribs present participle
pokes in the ribs third person singular

Morphology

poke + in + the + rib

The meaning is a straightforward composition of 'poke' (to prod) with the locative prepositional phrase 'in the ribs' referring to the body region, so the idea of nudging someone in their side is directly derivable. This is a literal, cross-linguistically common bodily-action construction and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

The phrase poke in the ribs comes from the simple action of using a finger to push someone's side near the ribs, a quick poke to get their attention or make them laugh. That's why it means 'to nudge or prod someone'.