monkey business

American  

noun

1. frivolous or mischievous behavior.

2. improper or underhanded conduct; trickery.

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monkey business British  

noun

1. informal mischievous, suspect, dishonest, or meddlesome behaviour or acts

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monkey business Idioms  

1. Silly, mischievous, or deceitful conduct, as in The teacher told the children to cut out the monkey business and get to work, or I don't trust that lawyer—there's some monkey business going on. This expression transfers the tricks of monkeys to human behavior. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of monkey business

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Minde describes Saleh as a "power behind the scenes", saying he was "influential in terms of money, business and access".

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

In most cases where L&I finds workers are owed money, business owners settle and pay up before entering the collections process.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2024

Andrew Das is an editor for the International section of The Times, focusing primarily on the ways sports intersect with power, money, business, media and culture.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2024

Gov. Delbert Hosemann won a second term by defeating a Democratic challenger who had spent little money, business consultant D. Ryan Grover.

From Washington Times • Nov. 8, 2023

"I suppose because it does a wall of money business every day," ventured Jack, trying to be wise.

From The Little Washingtons' Travels by Roy, Lillian Elizabeth