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View synonyms for monkey business

monkey business

noun

  1. frivolous or mischievous behavior.
  2. improper or underhanded conduct; trickery.


monkey business

noun

  1. informal.
    mischievous, suspect, dishonest, or meddlesome behaviour or acts
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey business1

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85
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Idioms and Phrases

Silly, mischievous, or deceitful conduct, as in The teacher told the children to cut out the monkey business and get to work , or I don't trust that lawyer—there's some monkey business going on . This expression transfers the tricks of monkeys to human behavior. [Late 1800s]
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Example Sentences

A snapshot of presidential candidate Gary Hart aboard the yacht "Monkey Business" ended his aspirations forever.

And after Gary Hart taunted the press to follow him around in 1987, we believed all political monkey business was our business.

It would take a thousand men and cost enough to buy a whole new tract to do all the monkey business they want you to do.

"Monkey Business" is a very good act, and both men do excellent work on the taut and slack wire.

It would be well for you to tell those men that any monkey business with them will be unhealthy.

“None of your monkey business,” snapped the policeman, advancing toward the man.

"Been some monkey business done round yere," muttered the aged negro.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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