mugging

[ muhg-ing ]

/ ˈmʌg ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: mugging / muggings on Thesaurus.com

noun

an assault or threat of violence upon a person, especially with intent to rob.

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Origin of mugging

First recorded in 1840–50; mug + -ing¹

Still, Pig gives Cage “the time and space to be sincere once again, a rare experience for him and a rewarding one for us,” a performance that “shows that underneath the lazy mugging to the cheap seats, he’s still a soulful and careful actor.”
Nicolas Cage Brings Home the Rave-Review Bacon in ‘Pig’|Hillary Dixler Canavan|July 14, 2021|Eater
We see photographs of him with his arm around Joan Jett, two punks mugging for the camera.
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Worse, all of this mugging business reminds Ross of when he was mugged as a child.
15 Times ‘Friends’ Was Really, Really Weird|Kevin Fallon|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Van Straubenzee had been talking to Prince Harry on his mobile when the mugging happened at about 7.15pm in Albert Bridge Road.
Man Found Guilty of Mugging Harry's Friend|Tom Sykes|August 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The Wiesenthal Center has every right to build there and is the victim of a political mugging.
How To Model Tolerance|Gil Troy|April 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They are almost always closer to mugging and burlesque than to acting.
Cindy Sherman, Actor and Clown|Blake Gopnik|February 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Her gang will be below playing cards or mugging-up or snoozing, and only two on deck seeing her home!
The Viking Blood|Frederick William Wallace
They were chortling, pointing at each other, mugging for the camera.
Makers|Cory Doctorow
I do know a certain amount about harmony already; I have been mugging it up for the last three years.
Michael|E. F. Benson
The shotgun squad keeps the riots, the mugging, and all the humbug out.
Warren Commission (11 of 26): Hearings Vol. XI (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Everyone admired Hill in a way, though the suspicion of “mugging” clung to him.
The Plattner Story and Others|H. G. Wells