monkey business
Underhanded goings on
Monkey business is mischievous or deceitful activity—behavior that's not quite on the level.
It can range from harmless pranks to serious misconduct: Cut out the monkey business and get back to work.
The phrase often implies suspicion: There's some monkey business going on with those expense reports.
Playful mischievous acts
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- horseplayBoisterous rough behavior
- high jinksBoisterous, playful behavior
shenanigans · clowning · buffoonery · fooling · skylarking · goofing off · hijinks · foolishness
Deliberate deception or fraud
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
guile · cunning · slyness · manipulation · dishonesty · double-dealing · underhandedness · fraud
Improper professional behavior
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- shady dealingsDishonest or illegal transactions
- unethical behaviorActions violating moral principles
irregularities · corruption · graft · embezzlement · kickbacks · bribery · skimming · cover-up
Devising a secret plan
- machinationsCrafty scheming toward goals
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
maneuvering · collusion · manipulation · backroom deals · wheeling and dealing · politicking · finagling · wrangling
Lighthearted playful movement
- rompingPlaying with energetic movement
- gambolingPlayful jumping about
- frolickingLighthearted energetic movement
- cavortingMoving playfully, energetically
fun and games · merrymaking · revelry · jest · japery · joking around · horsing around · kidding around
pranks
Playful mischievous acts
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- horseplayBoisterous rough behavior
high jinks · shenanigans · clowning · buffoonery · fooling · skylarking · goofing off · hijinks · foolishness · silliness
trickery
Deliberate deception or fraud
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
duplicity · guile · cunning · slyness · manipulation · dishonesty · double-dealing · underhandedness · fraud · skulduggery
misconduct
Improper professional behavior
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- shady dealingsDishonest or illegal transactions
unethical behavior · irregularities · corruption · graft · embezzlement · kickbacks · bribery · skimming · cover-up · scandal
plotting
Devising a secret plan
- machinationsCrafty scheming toward goals
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
conniving · maneuvering · collusion · manipulation · backroom deals · wheeling and dealing · politicking · finagling · wrangling · jockeying
frolic
Lighthearted playful movement
- rompingPlaying with energetic movement
- gambolingPlayful jumping about
- frolickingLighthearted energetic movement
cavorting · fun and games · merrymaking · revelry · jest · japery · joking around · horsing around · kidding around · lightheartedness
monkey businessstraight dealing
Honest, transparent transactions
fair dealing · square dealing · plain dealing · good faith · transparency
monkey businessseriousness
Earnest, weighty demeanor
professionalism · decorum · propriety · earnestness · sobriety
business, monkey, businessman, monkeys, businesslike, businesswoman, businessperson, monkeying, businessmen