mischief

[ˈmɪstʃɪf]

mischief Definition

  • 1playful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children
  • 2harm or damage caused by someone or something, often in a playful or mischievous way

Using mischief: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mischief" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The children were up to their usual mischief.

  • Example

    He was always getting into mischief as a child.

  • Example

    The dog caused a lot of mischief in the garden.

  • Example

    She's always up to some kind of mischief.

mischief Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for mischief

Idioms Using mischief

  • doing something naughty or causing trouble

    Example

    I can tell by the look on your face that you're up to mischief again.

  • to encourage or persuade someone to do something that is naughty or causes trouble

    Example

    He led his little brother into mischief by convincing him to steal candy from the store.

  • to use something in a way that causes trouble or problems for others

    Example

    The kids were making mischief with the water hose, spraying each other and getting everything wet.

Phrases with mischief

  • to cause trouble or problems for others, often in a playful or mischievous way

    Example

    The boys were making mischief in the classroom.

  • to cause trouble or problems for others, often by spreading rumors or gossip

    Example

    She was accused of stirring up mischief among her coworkers.

  • to do something that is naughty or causes trouble

    Example

    The children got into mischief while their parents were out.

Origins of mischief

from Old French 'meschief', meaning 'misfortune'

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Summary: mischief in Brief

The term 'mischief' [ˈmɪstʃɪf] refers to playful misbehavior or troublemaking, often associated with children. It can also denote harm or damage caused by someone or something, often in a playful or mischievous way. Examples include 'The children were up to their usual mischief' and 'She's always up to some kind of mischief.' Phrases like 'make mischief' and 'stir up mischief' describe causing trouble, while idioms like 'up to mischief' and 'lead someone into mischief' denote doing something naughty or encouraging others to do so.

How do native speakers use this expression?