mugging
- an assault or threat of violence upon a person, especially with intent to rob.
Origin of mugging
mug
- a drinking cup, usually cylindrical in shape, having a handle, and often of a heavy substance, as earthenware.
- the quantity it holds.
- Slang.
- the face.
- the mouth.
- an exaggerated facial expression; grimace, as in acting.
- a thug, ruffian, or other criminal.
- British Slang. a gullible person; dupe; fool.
- to assault or menace, especially with the intention of robbery.
- Slang. to photograph (a person), especially in compliance with an official or legal requirement.
- Slang. to grimace; exaggerate a facial expression, as in acting.
Origin of mug
Examples from the Web for mugging
Contemporary Examples
Worse, all of this mugging business reminds Ross of when he was mugged as a child.
Van Straubenzee had been talking to Prince Harry on his mobile when the mugging happened at about 7.15pm in Albert Bridge Road.
They are almost always closer to mugging and burlesque than to acting.
It was Harry who was on the other end of the line when the mugging took place, and Harry heard the attack unfold as it happened.
Because he overheard the mugging taking place, Harry was required to report the crime and also give a police statement.
Historical Examples
Perhaps I have been mugging it up as a preliminary to coming out here.
The Sign of the SpiderBertram Mitford
I hear from Mr Cookson that you have been mugging lately, just as I have.
Dr. Jolliffe's BoysLewis Hough
They were chortling, pointing at each other, mugging for the camera.
MakersCory Doctorow
I've been mugging away for the Diplomatic and I've just made an awful ass of myself.
Sinister Street, vol. 2Compton Mackenzie
This is known as a "mugging" camera and various types are on the market.
The Science of FingerprintsFederal Bureau of Investigation
mug1
- a drinking vessel with a handle, usually cylindrical and made of earthenware
- Also called: mugful the quantity held by a mug or its contents
Word Origin
mug2
- slang a person's face or mouthget your ugly mug out of here!
- slang a grimace
- British slang a gullible person, esp one who is swindled easily
- a mug's game a worthless activity
- (tr) informal to attack or rob (someone) violently
- (intr) British slang to pull faces or overact, esp in front of a camera
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for mugging
mug
n.1
"drinking vessel," 1560s, "bowl, pot, jug," of unknown origin, perhaps from Scandinavian (cf. Swedish mugg "mug, jug," Norwegian mugge "pitcher, open can for warm drinks"), or Low German mokke, mukke "mug," also of unknown origin.
mug
n.2
"a person's face," 1708, possibly from mug (n.1), on notion of drinking mugs shaped like grotesque faces. Sense of "portrait or photograph in police records (e.g. mug shot, 1950) had emerged by 1887. Hence, also, "a person" (especially "a criminal"), 1890.
mug
v.1
"to beat up," 1818, originally "to strike the face" (in pugilism), from mug (n.2). The general meaning "attack" is first attested 1846, and "attack to rob" is from 1864. Perhaps influenced by thieves' slang mug "dupe, fool, sucker" (1851). Related: Mugged; mugging.
mug
v.2
"make exaggerated facial expressions," 1855, originally theatrical slang, from mug (n.2). Related: Mugged; mugging.