misbehave
verb (used without object)
to behave badly or improperly.
had been misbehaving
-
past perfect progressiveof misbehave.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The boy’s behavior changed after his mother regained custody and family members said he had been misbehaving in school and showing signs of anxiety.
From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2022
He had been misbehaving in class, and Mr. Hancock described the day she took him aside and said that instead of punishing him, she would make him a student leader.
From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2011
I know we had been misbehaving ourselves dreadfully.
From Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope
They started for the telegraph line, but on the way the two men who had been misbehaving requested to be left behind.
From The Explorers of Australia and their Life-work by Ernest Favenc
I couldn't make her tell me what Mrs. Upjohn had said, but, picking up a thread here and there, I judged that Charlie had been misbehaving himself somehow.
From Concerning Sally by William John Hopkins
