monkey tricks

British  

plural noun

1. informal mischievous behaviour or acts, such as practical jokes

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Example Sentences

Look here," said Crouch, "I'll have no monkey tricks on board this packet.

From Project Gutenberg

Can we suppose, that the unknown power, whom man calls God, presented himself at the altar of a heathen necromancer, and, whispering in his ear, forbade him to perform his monkey tricks to the detriment of his chosen people?

From Project Gutenberg

All these monkey tricks are of much easier performance than feeding the hungry, or clothing the destitute.

From Project Gutenberg

After having carried his noble charge round the battlements, exhibiting the while various monkey tricks heretofore unknown to nursery-maids, to the no small consternation and amazement of the spectators, he descended with careful foot, ad terram firmam, and replaced the child in the cradle.

From Project Gutenberg

I have not withstood Maitland to be won by the monkey tricks and mawkish commonplace of ordinary men.

From Project Gutenberg