mischief
gb/mˈɪst͡ʃəf/ us/mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
B1
English
~ 3400
rosszalkodás, csínytevés, huncutság, károkozás, bajkeverés, kár
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to get into [mischief]
The children were full of mischief during the family gathering.
A gyerekek tele voltak huncutsággal a családi összejövetelen.
A stray cat had been causing mischief in the garden.
Egy kóbor macska némi galibát okozott a kertben.
She smiled with a look of mischief in her eyes.
He was always getting into mischief at school.
The puppy's mischief included chewing on shoes.
Learner examples
The boy is full of mischief.
A fiú tele van huncutsággal.
My dog likes to make mischief in the house.
A kutyám szeret rosszalkodni a házban.
The girls got into mischief after school.
He smiled with mischief in his eyes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mischief' with 'mischievous'. 'Mischief' is the noun for the behavior; 'mischievous' is the adjective describing someone who causes it.
Meaning
Playful troublemaking
Collocations
get into mischief
|full of mischief
|cause mischief
|up to mischief
Synonyms
naughtiness (Suggests playful bad behavior, especially in children.)
|
prankishness (Focuses more on playful joking or tricks.)
Antonyms
good behavior (Acting in a proper or well-behaved manner.)
Themes
daily life
|behavior
|children
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Behavior that causes small problems or trouble in a playful way, not meant to hurt anyone.
Playful or mildly annoying behavior that causes trouble or minor damage, often without harmful intent.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to do [mischief] to [someone/something]
The hackers did a lot of mischief to the company's database.
A hackerek nagy kárt tettek a cég adatbázisában.
Political opponents accused each other of spreading mischief.
A politikai ellenfelek azzal vádolták egymást, hogy rosszindulatú híresztelésekkel keltenek zavart.
The new law aims to prevent mischief in financial markets.
Learner examples
He did much mischief to the car.
Nagy kárt tett az autóban.
They made mischief in the office.
Bajt kevertek az irodában.
The storm caused mischief to the roof.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense for serious harm. In modern English, 'mischief' here usually refers to mild or moderate harm, not severe injury.
Meaning
Harm or damage caused by actions
Collocations
do mischief
|cause mischief
|prevent mischief
Synonyms
harm (General term for physical or emotional injury.)
|
damage (Focuses on physical or material harm.)
Antonyms
benefit (An action that helps rather than harms.)
Themes
law
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Hurt or damage done by someone’s actions.
Harm, damage, or injury caused by someone's actions, especially when intentional but not severe.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mischief
IPA
GB/mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
US/mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
Syllables & stress
mis - chief (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mis)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mischief
- Plural: mischief
Word family
Core family
mischievous
adjective B2
Related words
mischievously
adverb
Advanced or less common
mischievousness
noun
Expressions
get into mischief
1/ɡˈɛt ˈɪntu mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
fixed phrase
Start causing playful trouble
To begin doing things that cause small problems or trouble in a playful way.
Examples
- If you leave them alone too long, they'll get into mischief.
- The boys got into mischief while their parents were out.
make mischief
1/mˈeɪk mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
fixed phrase
Cause trouble or conflict
To do something that causes trouble between people or creates problems.
Examples
- She likes to make mischief by spreading rumors.
- Stop trying to make mischief between friends.
up to mischief
1/ˈʌp tə mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
fixed phrase
informal
Engaged in playful troublemaking
Doing something that causes small problems in a playful way.
Examples
- Those kids look like they're up to mischief again.
- The puppy is up to mischief in the kitchen.