Definition

Noun: - Mischievous or deceitful behavior: Refers to actions that are playful in a troublesome, silly, or dishonest way, often involving trickery or a lack of seriousness.

Usage

"Monkey business" is an informal, idiomatic noun phrase. It is used to describe silly, mischievous, or underhanded activities. It often implies that the behavior is improper, foolish, or not to be taken seriously, and it can range from harmless pranks to more serious deceit.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The teacher left the room and warned the students there would be no monkey business. (The teacher warned against any silly or mischievous behavior.)
  • The auditor was hired to investigate any financial monkey business within the company. (The auditor was hired to look for any dishonest or fraudulent activities.)
  • We need to focus on the task; there's no time for monkey business. (We need to be serious and not engage in any foolish or distracting behavior.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be up to monkey business": to be engaged in mischievous or deceitful activities.
  • I think those kids are up to some monkey business in the backyard. (I think those children are doing something mischievous.)
• "to put a stop to the monkey business": to end the foolish or dishonest behavior.
  • The manager had to put a stop to the monkey business in the office. (The manager had to stop the improper behavior.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shenanigans (n): Secret or dishonest activity or mischief. (Often used similarly to "monkey business").
  • We've had enough of your shenanigans.
• Tomfoolery (n): Foolish or silly behavior.
  • The meeting was interrupted by pointless tomfoolery.

Synonyms

• Mischief: Playful misbehavior or troublemaking.
• Skulduggery (also skullduggery): Underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; trickery.
• Chicanery: The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.

Related Idioms

• Funny business: A very similar idiom meaning dishonest or suspicious activity.
  • I want no funny business with this transaction. (I want this transaction to be completely honest.)
• Hanky-panky: Informal term for suspicious or dishonest activity, sometimes with a sexual connotation.
  • There was some financial hanky-panky going on.

Noun

1. mischievous or deceitful behavior