How do you use "Taking the Mickey" in a sentence?

Are you taking the mickey? There's no way that costs fifty quid! Stop taking the mickey out of my accent! They're taking the mickey with these prices. He's always taking the mickey, but he means well.

Taking the Mickey

Q: What does "Taking the Mickey" mean?

Making fun of someone or something; teasing This phrase covers a range of teasing behaviour, from gentle, affectionate ribbing between friends to more pointed mockery. It can also mean exploiting a situation or taking advantage of someone's goodwill. 'Are you taking the mickey?' can express disbelief that someone is being serious or that they're trying to get away with something cheeky.

Slang Term British ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Making fun of someone or something; teasing

取笑某人或某事；开玩笑

Burlarse de alguien o algo; bromear

誰かや何かをからかう、冗談を言う

누군가나 무언가를 놀리는 것, 장난치는 것

This phrase covers a range of teasing behaviour, from gentle, affectionate ribbing between friends to more pointed mockery. It can also mean exploiting a situation or taking advantage of someone's goodwill. 'Are you taking the mickey?' can express disbelief that someone is being serious or that they're trying to get away with something cheeky.

这个短语涵盖了一系列戏弄行为，从朋友之间温和、亲切的玩笑到更尖锐的嘲笑。它也可以表示利用某种情况或占别人便宜。'Are you taking the mickey?'可以表达对某人是否认真的怀疑，或者他们是否想蒙混过关。

Esta frase cubre una gama de comportamientos burlones, desde bromas suaves y cariñosas entre amigos hasta burlas más punzantes. También puede significar explotar una situación o aprovecharse de la buena voluntad de alguien. 'Are you taking the mickey?' puede expresar incredulidad de que alguien esté hablando en serio o que esté tratando de salirse con la suya.

このフレーズは、友人間の優しい冗談から、より鋭い皮肉まで、からかいの幅広い行動をカバーします。状況を利用したり、誰かの好意につけ込むという意味もあります。「Are you taking the mickey?」は、相手が本気なのか、ずる賢く逃げようとしているのかへの疑念を表現できます。

이 표현은 친구 사이의 가벼운 장난부터 좀 더 날카로운 조롱까지 다양한 놀림 행위를 포함합니다. 또한 상황을 이용하거나 누군가의 호의를 악용하는 것을 의미할 수도 있습니다. 'Are you taking the mickey?'는 상대방이 진심인지 의심스럽거나, 뻔뻔하게 무언가를 해보려 한다는 것에 대한 불신을 표현할 수 있습니다.

Literal meaning: The phrase doesn't literally mean anything about someone named Mickey—it's a cleaned-up version of cruder rhyming slang.

Examples

Are you taking the mickey? There's no way that costs fifty quid!
你在开玩笑吧？这怎么可能要五十镑！
¿Me estás tomando el pelo? ¡No hay manera de que eso cueste cincuenta libras!
冗談でしょ？それが50ポンドするわけないじゃん！
장난이지? 그게 50파운드일 리가 없잖아!
Stop taking the mickey out of my accent!
别再取笑我的口音了！
¡Deja de burlarte de mi acento!
私のアクセントをからかうのはやめて！
내 억양 놀리지 마!
They're taking the mickey with these prices.
他们这价格也太离谱了。
Se están pasando con estos precios.
この値段、ふざけてるよね。
이 가격은 너무한 거 아니야.
He's always taking the mickey, but he means well.
他老是开玩笑，但他没恶意。
Él siempre está bromeando, pero lo hace con buena intención.
彼はいつもからかってくるけど、悪気はないんだ。
그 사람은 항상 놀리지만 악의는 없어.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɪki/ - MICK-ee

Usage Guide

Context: friends, family, casual situations

Tone: ranges from playful to accusatory depending on context

✓ Do Say

Are you taking the mickey?
你在开玩笑吧？
¿Me estás tomando el pelo?
冗談でしょ？
지금 놀리는 거야?
He loves taking the mickey out of himself.
他喜欢自嘲。
Le encanta reírse de sí mismo.
彼は自分をからかうのが好きなんだ。
그는 자기 자신을 놀리는 걸 좋아해.
They're just taking the mick.
他们只是在开玩笑。
Solo están bromeando.
彼らはただふざけてるだけ。
그냥 놀리는 거야.

✗ Don't Say

Avoid in formal settings
正式场合避免使用
Evitar en entornos formales
フォーマルな場では避ける
격식 있는 자리에서는 사용을 피할 것
Be careful of tone—can sound confrontational
注意语气——可能听起来像在对质
Cuidado con el tono—puede sonar confrontativo
口調に注意——対立的に聞こえることがある
어조에 주의할 것—대립적으로 들릴 수 있음

Common Mistakes

It's 'taking the mickey OUT OF someone' not 'on someone'
Don't confuse with 'taking the michael' which is a further euphemism

Origin & History

This is Cockney rhyming slang in disguise. The full phrase was originally 'taking the Mickey Bliss,' which rhymes with 'taking the p***.' Over time, it was shortened to 'taking the mickey' or 'taking the mick,' providing a polite way to express the cruder original. Some claim it refers to a specific Mickey Bliss, but no historical figure has been identified.

Etymology: Rhyming slang: 'Mickey Bliss' = p***, truncated to 'mickey' for politeness

First recorded: Used from the 1950s onwards

Cultural Context

Era: 1950s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in British comedy; Ricky Gervais uses this phrase frequently

Regional notes: Used throughout Britain and Ireland. Americans might say 'pulling my leg' or 'messing with me' instead.

Variations

Taking the mickTaking the michaelHaving a mickey