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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

Cola spoke to Salon about her extensive work, her comedy career and what monkey business she gets up to in "The Tiger's Apprentice."

From Salon

“That was more than enough monkey business for us,” the department said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce Momo’s capture.

Ron Kaufman, a McDaniel supporter and longtime RNC member from Massachusetts, said it is rare for members to walk away from public endorsements, though there is always room for some monkey business.

That focus leaves Picasso in slight shadow, gives Braque his fair due and crowns a new champion of media monkey business and painterly legerdemain.

The “Cheers” actress also suggested “monkey business” is at play when it comes to voting results.

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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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