What is "to laugh away"

Laugh \Laugh\, v. t.

1. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.

   Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?
   --Shak.

   I shall laugh myself to death.
   --Shak.

2. To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out. From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause. --Shak. To laugh away.

   1. To drive away by laughter; as, to laugh away regret.

   2. To waste in hilarity. ``Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune.'' --Shak. To laugh down.

      1. To cause to cease or desist by laughter; as, to laugh down a speaker.

      2. To cause to be given up on account of ridicule; as, to laugh down a reform.

         To laugh one out of, to cause one by laughter or ridicule to abandon or give up; as, to laugh one out of a plan or purpose.

         To laugh to scorn, to deride; to treat with mockery, contempt, and scorn; to despise.