monkey business

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See synonyms for monkey business on Thesaurus.com

noun

frivolous or mischievous behavior.

improper or underhanded conduct; trickery.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of monkey business

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Words nearby monkey business

monkey, monkey bars, monkey block, monkey bread, monkey bridge, monkey business, monkey climb, monkey-faced owl, monkey flower, monkey flush, monkeygland sauce

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use monkey business in a sentence

I was a little mystified at how benignly he responded to my questions about his business activities.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This reporter knocked at the Wilkins home on Tuesday morning but received neither an answer nor the business end of a shotgun.
The 7-Year-Old Plane Crash Survivor’s Brutal Journey Through the Woods|James Higdon|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Competition is there, of course, but I think there is enough business for everyone as long as the demand is there,” he says.
Ghost Ships of the Mediterranean|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Last March they gave Airbus a huge piece of new business, ordering 169 A320s and 65 of the slightly larger A321.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Together, they crossed over the International Bridges on foot into Juarez to conduct some business.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He remembered something—the cherished pose of being a man plunged fathoms-deep in business.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
But the greatest danger I ever underwent in that kingdom was from a monkey, who belonged to one of the clerks of the kitchen.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
A letter from Fajardo to the king (December 10, 1621) concerns various matters of administration and business.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The father of Mr. Stacy Marks predestined him for the coach-building business.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
That, and a range war that grew out of the killing, and some kind of a business deal just about broke them.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for monkey business

monkey business

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with monkey business

monkey business

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]

monkey business

Origin of monkey business

Words nearby monkey business

Words related to monkey business

How to use monkey business in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for monkey business

Other Idioms and Phrases with monkey business