mug shot

Or mugshot

noun

Slang.

1. Also called headshot. an identifying photograph of a suspect or criminal, often one of a set showing a frontal view, a profile view, and a view of the back of the head.

2. any closeup photograph of someone's face.

mug shot

noun

1. informal,  a photograph of a person's face, esp one resembling a police-file picture

Word History and Origins

Origin of mug shot¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

When it didn’t, it was devastating for him because the world saw Paul through his scary mug shot.

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The pair, who had been traveling the world, had their mug shots taken, were denied entry and flew back to Tokyo.

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Many on social media compared the photo to Donald Trump's 'mug shot', taken in Fulton County Jail in Georgia after he was charged with attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss - a charge Trump denies.

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In his mug shot, the photographer George Steinmetz doesn’t seem especially threatening.

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That was followed by Alpha Male diatribes on book banning, the Black “Little Mermaid,” Trump’s mug shot, ruminations on Hunter Biden’s laptop and swipes at President Biden, whom he calls “Papa Long Hugs.”

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Related Words

• mug