expression, godan verb (-u)
aim for laughs; play to the crowd
Used when someone intentionally says or does something to get a laugh or positive reaction from an audience or group.
彼はいつもウケを狙って変な顔をする。
He always makes funny faces trying to get a laugh.
そのギャグは明らかにウケを狙っていたけど、誰
That gag was clearly aimed at getting laughs, but nobody laughed.