kid on the square

To be joking, but at the same time really mean it.

Japanese Meaning

冗談を言いつつ、実は本気である / ふざけながらも、その発言に真意が含まれている

When he disagreed, he would kid on the square, making a joke that actually cut deeper than it sounded.

彼は反対するとき、冗談のふりをして本気で言い、発言が見た目よりも深く刺さることがよくあった。

Sense（1）

To be joking, but at the same time really mean it.

"I'm kiddin' on the square," said Hanks.

kids on the square

（ present singular third-person ）

kidding on the square

（ participle present ）

kidded on the square

（ participle past ）

kidded on the square

（ past ）