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  1. Dictionary
    monkey business
    /ˈmʌŋkɪ ˌbɪznɪs/

    noun

    • 1. mischievous or deceitful behaviour: informal "she wasn't going to have any monkey business where the reputation of her only daughter was concerned"

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  3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › monkey-businessMONKEY BUSINESS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    noun [ U ] uk / ˈmʌŋ.ki ˌbɪz.nɪs / us / ˈmʌŋ.ki ˌbɪz.nɪs / Add to word list. behaviour that is not acceptable or is dishonest: The teacher suspected that there had been some monkey business going on while she was out of the room. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Cheating & tricking. anti-fraud. bad faith. bamboozle. bilk. blackmail.

  4. grammarist.com › idiom › monkey-business‘Monkey Business’ Idiom: The Art Of Trickery and Lies

    • What Does Monkey Business Really Mean?
    • How Is The Idiom Used, and What Are Some examples?
    • What Is The Origin of The Idiom Monkey Business?
    • What Are The Related Terms to This Idiom?
    • Stop Monkeying Around!

    The phrase monkey business denotes actions that are a bit deceptive, silly, or not to be taken seriously. TheCambridge Dictionarydefines it as “behavior that is not acceptable or is dishonest.” In addition, The Britannica Dictionary breaks the idiom’s meaning into two parts, showing that it can be both lighthearted and serious as either “playful tr...

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    In contemporary language, monkey businessis such a popular idiom we use to express suspicion towards deceitful or foolish actions. But here are a few different ways you can work it into conversations.

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    The idiom monkey business has multiple potential origins. One primary theory indicates its roots are found in the term Monkeyshine, first coined in 1832 with the meaning dishonorable act. This term was used notably in the Jim Crow song that mocked African–American slaves. In addition, English parents in earlier times often referred to their childre...

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    Learning about related terms for monkey businessonly adds to your growing vocabulary and gives a clearer expression of thought.

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    In this article, we’ve dived deep into the intriguing world of the idiom monkey business, exploring its origins, evolution, and impact on English language communication. We have uncovered its diverse roots and walked through its transition from a term with serious implications to a playful, widely recognized phrase. As we have seen, idioms like mon...

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  6. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › monkey businessMonkey business Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    The meaning of MONKEY BUSINESS is shenanigan. How to use monkey business in a sentence.

  7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › monkey businessMonkey business - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

    Monkey business is one of those animal idioms that make a lot of sense — just picture a rascally monkey stealing the hat off your head and running away. The phrase first came into use around the start of the twentieth century, possibly from the earlier term monkeyshines , which had the same meaning.

  8. twominenglish.com › monkey-businessMonkey Business Idiom Definition - Two Minute English

    Sep 1, 2024 · Monkey business means silly or deceptive behavior that is often meant to trick or confuse others. This phrase is used to describe actions that are not serious and sometimes dishonest. For example, if children are left alone in a room and start making a mess or playing pranks, an adult might say, “Stop that monkey business right now!”

  9. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › monkey-businessMeaning of monkey business in English - Cambridge Dictionary

    monkey business. noun [ U ] us / ˈmʌŋ.ki ˌbɪz.nɪs / uk / ˈmʌŋ.ki ˌbɪz.nɪs /. Add to word list. behavior that is not acceptable or is dishonest: The teacher suspected that there had been some monkey business going on while she was out of the room. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

  10. redkiwiapp.com › idioms › monkey-businessMeaning of Monkey business | Idioms & Phrases

    "Monkey business" means engaging in silly or mischievous behavior. What context can I use the in? Example. The kids were up to some monkey business in the backyard. Example. I caught my coworkers engaging in some monkey business during the meeting. Example. The comedian's performance was full of monkey business and had the audience in stitches.