monkey business
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.”
How to use monkey business
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSneaky or silly behaviour that someone wants stopped.
Informal and uncountable. The dishonest sense is the commoner one in adult speech; the mischief sense is what parents say to children.
Never say 'a monkey business' — it is uncountable, so use some monkey business or no monkey business.
Trace the full origin ↓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'.
