Take the mickey out of sb Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Take the mickey out of sb” Mean?

“Take the mickey out of sb” means to tease or make fun of someone in a playful or mocking way.

Introduction

The phrase “Take the mickey out of sb” is a common British English expression used to describe teasing someone, usually in a light-hearted or joking manner. It’s often said when someone makes fun of another person’s habits, mistakes, or characteristics without intending to offend seriously. Understanding the Take the mickey out of sb meaning helps learners recognize informal conversations and use the phrase correctly in everyday speech.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Take the mickey out of somebody
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To tease or mock someone playfully

Structure (Grammar Rules)

This phrasal verb is inseparable. You cannot place the object between “take” and “the mickey out of”.

Correct: She takes the mickey out of him all the time.
Incorrect: She takes him the mickey out.

Pattern: take + the mickey out of + somebody

How to Use Take the mickey out of sb?

Use this phrase when you want to describe teasing someone in a friendly or slightly mocking way. It’s usually informal and often used among friends or family. You can mention the person being teased after “take the mickey out of.”

Example: They always take the mickey out of John because of his accent.

Examples

Imagine a group of friends joking around. One might say:

• “Don’t take the mickey out of me just because I forgot my keys!”
• “They take the mickey out of Sarah for always being late.”
• “He’s just taking the mickey out of you; don’t get upset.”
• “We often take the mickey out of each other during meetings.”
• “She took the mickey out of her brother’s new haircut.”

These sentences show how to use Take the mickey out of sb in a sentence naturally.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse this phrase with others or place the object incorrectly.

• Incorrect: I take him the mickey out of.
  Correct: I take the mickey out of him.
• Incorrect: He takes the mickey out.
  Correct: He takes the mickey out of his friends.
• Don’t confuse it with “take the piss out of,” which has a similar meaning but can be more rude.

Differences / Synonyms

“Take the mickey out of sb” is similar to “take the piss out of sb,” but the latter is often more vulgar or offensive. Another synonym is “tease,” which is more neutral and common in American English.

While “take the mickey out of” is mostly playful, “make fun of” can be either playful or mean depending on tone.

Common Collocations

Here are some common objects or people you can use with this phrase:

• Someone’s name: take the mickey out of John
• Someone’s habits: take the mickey out of her smoking
• Someone’s appearance: take the mickey out of his new haircut
• Someone’s mistakes: take the mickey out of their errors

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of take the mickey out of sb:

• Take Sb Away
• Take Sth Up With Sb
• Take Sth Round
• Take Sb Aside
• Take Sb Through Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Here’s a short example of how friends might use this phrase:

Alice: Why are you laughing at me?
Ben: I’m just taking the mickey out of you because you spilled coffee again.
Alice: Very funny! Just wait, I’ll get you back.

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct form:

They always ______ the mickey out of me because of my accent.

• a) take
• b) takes
• c) took
• d) taking

Answer: a) take

FAQ

• Q: Is “take the mickey out of sb” offensive?
  A: Usually, it’s playful and not offensive, but tone matters.
• Q: Can I use it in formal situations?
  A: No, it’s informal and better for casual conversations.
• Q: What does “sb” mean?
  A: “sb” is short for “somebody.” It means a person.
• Q: Is it only used in British English?
  A: It’s mainly British, but understood in other English-speaking countries.
• Q: Can I use it with animals?
  A: No, it’s usually for people.