What Does “Take the piss out of sb” Mean?
“Take the piss out of sb” means to make fun of someone or tease them, often in a playful or mocking way.
Introduction
The phrase “Take the piss out of sb” is a common British English phrasal verb used to describe the act of jokingly mocking or teasing someone. It is often used among friends but can sometimes be rude if used in the wrong context. Understanding the Take the piss out of sb meaning helps learners use the phrase correctly in daily conversations or informal writing. This phrase adds color and humor to language, but it is important to know when and how to use it appropriately.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Take the piss out of somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To tease or mock someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take the piss out of sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate the phrase by inserting words between “take” and “the piss”.
Correct pattern: take the piss out of somebody
Incorrect pattern: take the piss out somebody or take the piss somebody out of
How to Use Take the piss out of sb?
This phrase is mainly used in informal speech. You can use it to describe friendly teasing or sometimes sarcastic mocking. It usually takes a person as the object (sb = somebody).
Examples of use include teasing friends about their habits, joking about a mistake, or making light of a situation. Be careful not to offend, as tone and context matter.
Examples
Here are some examples of Take the piss out of sb in a sentence:
- My friends always take the piss out of me when I sing in the shower.
- She was just taking the piss out of him about his new haircut.
- Don’t take the piss out of your brother too much; he might get upset.
- They took the piss out of the teacher for her funny accent.
- He loves to take the piss out of his coworkers during lunch breaks.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the phrase or use it incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Take the piss somebody out of.
- Correct: Take the piss out of somebody.
- Incorrect: Take the piss on somebody.
- Correct: Take the piss out of somebody.
Remember, the phrase always contains “take the piss out of” followed by the person.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “make fun of,” “tease,” and “mock.” However, “take the piss out of sb” is more casual and often used humorously. It can be stronger than “tease” but less formal than “mock.”
- Make fun of: General teasing, can be friendly or mean.
- Tease: Usually playful and light-hearted.
- Mock: More serious and can be hurtful.
- Take the piss out of: Informal, often humorous, sometimes sarcastic.
Common Collocations
We often see this phrase with these objects or subjects:
- Take the piss out of a friend: Tease a close companion.
- Take the piss out of a mistake: Joke about an error.
- Take the piss out of a situation: Make fun of circumstances.
- Take the piss out of a teacher: Joke about a teacher’s behavior.
- Take the piss out of someone’s accent: Mock the way someone speaks.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take the piss out of sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Take the piss out of sb”:
Anna: Did you hear Tom singing in the shower this morning?
Ben: Yeah, I couldn’t stop laughing! I took the piss out of him all day.
Anna: Poor Tom! But he knows it’s all in good fun.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct phrase:
- My brother always _______ the piss _______ of me when I wear funny clothes.
- Don’t _______ the piss _______ of your teacher; it’s rude.
- They _______ the piss _______ of the new rules at work.
Answers: take / out, take / out, took / out
FAQ
- Q: Is “take the piss out of sb” rude?
A: It can be rude if used harshly, but usually it is playful teasing among friends.
- Q: Can I use this phrase in formal writing?
A: No, it is informal and best for spoken English or casual writing.
- Q: What does “sb” mean in this phrase?
A: “Sb” means somebody or someone.
- Q: Is this phrase used outside the UK?
A: It is mainly British English but understood in other English-speaking countries.
- Q: Can I use this phrase to tease strangers?
A: It’s better to use it only with people you know well to avoid offending them.
