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noun Common

mickey

MIH-kee
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Mickey (noun) means Chiefly in the phrase "take the mickey": to tease or mock someone playfully. Example: “My brothers are always taking the mickey out of my terrible dancing.”

noun
1
Chiefly in the phrase "take the mickey": to tease or mock someone playfully.
"My brothers are always taking the mickey out of my terrible dancing."
"Don't take the mickey, I'm trying my best to learn the song!"
"Stop taking the mickey out of his accent."
2
Short for "Mickey Finn" — a drink secretly spiked with a drug to make someone unconscious.
"There were rumours the bartender had slipped him a mickey."

How to use mickey

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBest known in British/Irish English in the phrase "take the mickey" (to tease someone), and separately as slang for a spiked drink.

Common pairings
take the mickey slip someone a mickey
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Word forms

Third person singular
mickeys
Past tense
mickeyed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

My brothers are always taking the _____ out of my terrible dancing.

Etymology

A nickname derived from "Michael," which became so common in Irish communities that it lent its name to various slang senses, including the drugged drink "Mickey Finn," named after a real (or legendary) Chicago bartender.

Origin: Irish

Synonyms

View more →
tease mock kid Mick Paddy

Related words

girl child boy Michael card kid joke minor

Rhymes for mickey

key hey bey dey ley grey they joey whey obey prey abbey
See all rhymes for mickey →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mickey” mean?
The word “mickey” means chiefly in the phrase "take the mickey": to tease or mock someone playfully. In plain terms, best known in British/Irish English in the phrase "take the mickey" (to tease someone), and separately as slang for a spiked drink.
How do you pronounce “mickey”?
“Mickey” is pronounced MIH-kee (/ˈmɪki/ in IPA).
How do you use “mickey” in a sentence?
Here is “mickey” used in a sentence: “Stop taking the mickey out of his accent.”
What part of speech is “mickey”?
“Mickey” is a noun.
Where does the word “mickey” come from?
The word “mickey” comes from Irish.
Is “mickey” a common word?
“Mickey” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mickey” have?
“Mickey” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: chiefly in the phrase "take the mickey": to tease or mock someone playfully.
What does it mean to "take the mickey" out of someone?
To "take the mickey" means to tease or mock someone playfully, usually in a lighthearted rather than malicious way. It is a common informal British expression used among friends or colleagues.
What is a Mickey Finn?
A Mickey Finn, often shortened to "mickey", refers to a drink that has been secretly spiked with a drug to make someone unconscious. The term is typically used in older slang or crime fiction contexts.
Is "take the mickey" formal or informal English?
"Take the mickey" is informal British English, commonly used in casual conversation rather than formal writing or speech. It is understood throughout the UK and other English-speaking countries influenced by British slang.

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