monkey business
9 synonyms for monkey business, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Dishonest or underhand behaviour — fiddling figures, cutting corners or quietly breaking the rules — that somebody suspects is going on.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. 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.”
2. noun informal
Silly or mischievous behaviour, especially by children who should be settling down.
“Right, lights out, and no monkey business.”
How to use monkey business
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal and uncountable. The dishonest sense is the commoner one in adult speech; the mischief sense is what parents say to children.
Etymology
From monkey, long used of mischievous or tricky behaviour, plus business in the sense 'goings-on, activity'.
Full origin of monkey business →