noun

monkey business

MUNG-kee BIZ-nis

Monkey business (noun) means Dishonest or underhand behaviour — fiddling figures, cutting corners or quietly breaking the rules — that somebody suspects is going on. Example: “The auditors found some monkey business in the expenses claims.”

noun

informal Dishonest or underhand behaviour — fiddling figures, cutting corners or quietly breaking the rules — that somebody suspects is going on.

"The auditors found some monkey business in the expenses claims."

"There will be no monkey business with the ballot papers on my watch."

"The auditors found no monkey business in the accounts."

"There has been some monkey business with the ballot papers."

informal Silly or mischievous behaviour, especially by children who should be settling down.

"Right, lights out, and no monkey business."

"Bed now, and no monkey business."

"The teacher put a stop to the monkey business at the back of the room."

How to Use Monkey business

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSneaky or silly behaviour that someone wants stopped.

When to use it

Informal and uncountable. The dishonest sense is the commoner one in adult speech; the mischief sense is what parents say to children.

Memory tip

Never say 'a monkey business' — it is uncountable, so use some monkey business or no monkey business.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

funny business hanky-panky shenanigans →

Common pairings

no monkey business financial monkey business up to some monkey business

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The auditors found some _____ in the expenses claims.

Etymology

From monkey, long used of mischievous or tricky behaviour, plus business in the sense 'goings-on, activity'.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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skulduggery funny business shenanigans chicanery hanky-panky mischief horseplay tomfoolery antics

Related Words

prank folly mischief commotion indulgence horseplay shenanigans tomfoolery

Rhymes for monkey business

business ugliness laziness holiness happiness craziness weariness readiness emptiness manliness dizziness tardiness

See all rhymes for monkey business →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is monkey business serious or playful?

Both, depending on context. Applied to children it means harmless mischief; applied to money, contracts or elections it means genuine dishonesty, though the light-hearted wording softens the accusation.

What is the difference between monkey business and hanky-panky?

Both can mean underhand dealing, but hanky-panky commonly implies a sexual affair as well, which monkey business does not. If you say there was hanky-panky at the conference, people will assume romance rather than fraud.

What is the difference between monkey business and monkeying around?

Monkeying around is purely playful time-wasting or fooling about. Monkey business carries a stronger suggestion of rule-breaking or deceit.

Does monkey business mean cheating?

It can. In business and politics it points at quiet dishonesty — manipulated figures, rigged results, favours done off the books — without naming the specific offence. Used of children, it just means mischief.

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