monkey business
1
欺骗行为, 不正当行为
behavior that is mischievous, dishonest, or unacceptable
The idiom "monkey business" originated in the mid-19th century, deriving from the association of monkeys with mischievous and playful behavior. Monkeys are known for their agility, curiosity, and tendency to engage in antics, and the term "monkey business" was initially used to describe frivolous or deceitful activities. Over time, the expression evolved to describe any behavior perceived as unethical, dishonest, or mischievous, often referring to actions that deviate from serious or legitimate conduct.
- The CEO warned employees against engaging in any monkey business during the company's annual audit.
首席执行官警告员工在公司年度审计期间不要参与任何不当行为。
- Suspecting monkey business, the teacher questioned the students about the unusual pattern of test scores.
怀疑有恶作剧，老师就考试成绩的异常模式询问了学生。
- The detective suspected there was monkey business behind the seemingly innocent transaction and decided to investigate further.
侦探怀疑这看似无辜的交易背后有猫腻，决定进一步调查。
- The politician denied any involvement in monkey business, despite evidence suggesting financial irregularities in his campaign funds.
尽管有证据表明他的竞选资金存在财务违规行为，但这位政治家否认参与了任何不正当行为。
- The manager discovered monkey business when discrepancies in the inventory records became apparent, leading to an internal investigation.
经理在库存记录中出现明显差异时发现了猴子生意，导致内部调查。