monkeyshine

[ muhng-kee-shahyn ]
See synonyms for: monkeyshinemonkeyshines on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. Usually monkeyshines . a frivolous or mischievous prank; monkey business.

Origin of monkeyshine

1
First recorded in 1820–30; monkey + shine1 (in the sense of “a foolish prank”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use monkeyshine in a sentence

  • His achievements had won for him a certain respect even from the officers whom he amused with his 49 monkeyshines.

    The Heart of Pinocchio | Collodi Nipote
  • Run, then; an' if Job abuses you, just let me know it, an' I'll keep him from cuttin' up any monkeyshines.

    Toby Tyler | James Otis
  • In a mild way we and our fool monkeyshines came to be a well-known institution.

    Gold | Stewart White