monkey business

noun

: shenanigan sense 2
didn't try any monkey business when the boss was away

Examples of monkey business in a Sentence

Our teacher warned us not to try any monkey business while she was out of the room. the new nanny will not tolerate such monkey business from her charges
Recent Examples on the Web Theo James and Theo James are getting into some serious monkey business. Nick Romano, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2024 But there was some monkey business during his very first scene that gave him pause. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 May 2024 There’s a whole lot of monkey business going on this spring in movie theaters. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 Orangutans: Bella and Segundo Relationship status: A blind date that didn't go so well Sometimes matchmaking can feel a bit like monkey business. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 7 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for monkey business 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monkey business.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monkey business was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near monkey business

Cite this Entry

“Monkey business.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monkey%20business. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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