What Does “Take the mickey out of sth” Mean?
“Take the mickey out of sth” means to tease or make fun of something, often in a playful or mocking way.
Introduction
The phrase “Take the mickey out of sth” is a common British English expression used when someone jokes about or mocks something or someone. It usually involves light-hearted teasing rather than serious insult. Understanding the “Take the mickey out of sth meaning” helps learners recognize when people are not being serious but rather playful. This phrase is often used in casual conversations and can help you sound more natural and fluent in English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Take the mickey out of something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To tease or mock something in a playful way
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take the mickey out of sth” is a fixed phrasal verb and is inseparable. You cannot separate the phrase by inserting other words between “take” and “the mickey out of.”
Pattern: Take the mickey out of + noun (something/someone)
Example: They took the mickey out of his new haircut.
How to Use Take the mickey out of sth?
Use “Take the mickey out of sth” when you want to talk about making fun of something in a not too serious way. It usually refers to joking about someone’s behavior, ideas, or possessions. It can be friendly teasing or mild sarcasm but should not be used to offend deeply.
Examples
Imagine your friend buys a very bright and unusual jacket. You might “take the mickey out of” their choice to joke about it.
- They always take the mickey out of my accent when I speak English.
- Stop taking the mickey out of my new phone; it works perfectly fine!
- We took the mickey out of him for being late again.
- She took the mickey out of his terrible cooking skills in a funny way.
- Take the mickey out of sth in a sentence: “Don’t take the mickey out of my drawing; I’m still learning.”
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse this phrase with similar expressions or use incorrect grammar. Here are some examples of common errors:
- Incorrect: Take the mickey of something.
- Correct: Take the mickey out of something.
- Incorrect: They took mickey out of him.
- Correct: They took the mickey out of him.
Remember, the phrase always includes “the mickey” and “out of.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Take the mickey out of sth” is similar to other phrases like “make fun of,” “tease,” or “mock,” but it usually sounds more casual and friendly.
- Make fun of: Can be serious or hurtful.
- Tease: Often friendly but may annoy someone.
- Mock: More serious and can be rude.
- Take the mickey out of: Light-hearted and playful teasing.
Common Collocations
People often use this phrase with certain common objects or subjects when teasing:
- Accent: Making fun of how someone speaks.
- Clothes: Joking about what someone wears.
- Behavior: Teasing about actions or habits.
- Ideas: Light mockery of someone’s opinions.
- Appearance: Joking about physical looks in a playful way.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take the mickey out of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation showing how the phrase is used naturally:
Anna: Did you see Tom’s new shoes? They’re bright pink!
Ben: Yeah, I took the mickey out of him all afternoon for wearing those.
Anna: I think he liked it. He’s got a good sense of humor.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct phrase:
My friends always ________ the mickey out of my singing, but I don’t mind.
- a) take
- b) make
- c) do
- d) get
Answer: a) take
FAQ
- Q: Is “Take the mickey out of sth” polite?
A: Usually yes, it is playful teasing, but tone matters. - Q: Can I use it with people?
A: Yes, you can take the mickey out of people or things. - Q: Is it used in American English?
A: It’s mainly British, but Americans may understand it. - Q: What is the origin of the phrase?
A: It likely comes from rhyming slang “Mickey Bliss” meaning “piss,” which means to mock or tease. - Q: Can it be used in formal writing?
A: No, it’s informal and best for casual speech or writing.
