MONKEY BUSINESS | What’s that mean?
If you hear someone say “That sounds like monkey business,” they are not talking about animals.
Monkey business is a very common English expression used to describe dishonest, suspicious, or silly behavior.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What monkey business means
- How native speakers use it in real life
- Where the expression comes from
- Synonyms and related slang
- How to use it naturally in conversation
What Does “Monkey Business” Mean?
Monkey business means:
Dishonest, illegal, sneaky, or foolish behavior, often something that should not be happening.
It is usually used when someone:
- is cheating
- is lying
- is doing something secretive or suspicious
- is behaving in a silly but inappropriate way
It often carries a negative or disapproving tone.
Real and Natural Examples of “Monkey Business”
Here are examples you might hear in everyday English:
- There’s some monkey business going on in that company.
- I don’t trust him. He’s always involved in monkey business.
- If I find any monkey business in these reports, there will be consequences.
- The teacher warned the students not to get up to any monkey business.
- Something feels wrong. This deal smells like monkey business.
Notice how the expression often appears with:
- there’s
- some
- any
- no
Is “Monkey Business” Formal or Informal?
Monkey business is informal, but it is widely accepted in:
- Conversations
- News headlines
- TV shows and movies
- Business contexts (spoken, not formal writing)
You would usually avoid it in very formal documents, but it is perfectly fine in spoken and semi-formal English.
The Origin of “Monkey Business”
The expression dates back to the late 19th century.
Monkeys were traditionally associated with:
- Mischief
- Playful trouble
- Unpredictable behavior
Over time, monkey business became a metaphor for:
- Tricks
- Schemes
- Suspicious actions
The meaning evolved from playful mischief to serious wrongdoing.
Common Synonyms and Related Expressions
Here are words and expressions that carry a similar meaning:
Common Synonyms
- Funny business
- Shady behavior
- Suspicious activity
- Dirty tricks
- Underhanded behavior
Slang and Informal Alternatives
- Something fishy
- Sketchy stuff
- Dodgy behavior (very common in British English)
- Shenanigans
- Pulling a fast one
Examples:
- Something fishy is going on here.
- This looks pretty dodgy to me.
Common Collocations with “Monkey Business”
To sound more natural, notice these common patterns:
- some monkey business
- any monkey business
- no monkey business
- get up to monkey business
- involved in monkey business
Examples:
- The manager made it clear: no monkey business at work.
- The kids were unusually quiet, so their parents suspected they were getting up to some monkey business.
- The journalist uncovered evidence that several executives were involved in monkey business behind the scenes.
How to Use “Monkey Business” Naturally
Instead of translating word by word, learn it as a fixed expression (a chunk of language).
❌ He is doing monkey business.
✅ He’s involved in some monkey business.
This is how native speakers store and use expressions fluently.
Final Thoughts
This is a powerful and colorful expression that helps you:
- Sound more natural
- Express suspicion or disapproval
- Understand movies, series, and real conversations
If you want to improve your English fluency, focus on expressions like this, not just isolated words.
English is learned in chunks, not word by word.
That’s it for now. Take care and keep learning.
