mischief
gb/mˈɪst͡ʃəf/ us/mˈɪst͡ʃəf/
B1
English
~ 3400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Playful troublemaking
Behavior that causes small problems or trouble in a playful way, not meant to hurt anyone.
Usage pattern:
to get into [mischief]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mischief' with 'mischievous'. 'Mischief' is the noun for the behavior; 'mischievous' is the adjective describing someone who causes it.
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.)
Collocations
get into mischief
|full of mischief
|cause mischief
|up to mischief
Themes
daily life
|behavior
|children
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The children were full of mischief during the family gathering.
- A stray cat had been causing mischief in the garden.
- 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.
- My dog likes to make mischief in the house.
- The girls got into mischief after school.
- He smiled with mischief in his eyes.
Noun
B2
event
2
Harm or damage caused by actions
Hurt or damage done by someone’s actions.
Usage pattern:
to do [mischief] to [someone/something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
do mischief
|cause mischief
|prevent mischief
Themes
law
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hackers did a lot of mischief to the company's database.
- Political opponents accused each other of spreading mischief.
- The new law aims to prevent mischief in financial markets.
Learner examples
- He did much mischief to the car.
- They made mischief in the office.
- The storm caused mischief to the roof.
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.