mug off
C1 slang separable transitive
In simple words
To treat someone like a fool or to humiliate them — making them look stupid.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To humiliate or disrespect someone, often publicly, by treating them as a fool.
"I can't believe she mugged him off like that in front of everyone."
"Don't mug me off! I'm not an idiot."
— Love Island (UK), ITV2, 2017
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
To take advantage of someone's trust or good nature.
"He's been mugging her off for months — she does everything for him and he gives nothing back."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
British slang, popularised by UK reality TV shows such as 'Love Island.' Common among younger British speakers. Carries a strong sense of disrespect or betrayal of trust. Not widely understood outside British slang contexts.
Commonly used with
feel treat disrespect relationship partner embarrass
Forms
Base
mug off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mugs off
he/she/it
Past simple
muged off
yesterday
Past participle
muged off
have + pp
-ing form
muging off
continuous
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Synonyms
disrespect make a fool of take advantage of play for a fool humiliate take the mick out of
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