mick

Everyday

1. Mick is a short form of the name Michael. tree →
2. (UK/Ireland/Australia, informal) To take the mick (or mickey) out of someone means to tease or make fun of them. tree →
3. (offensive) Mick is a rude word for an Irish person; never use it this way. tree →

In the lessons

In stories Mick is a character's name. In real British, Irish and Australian speech «taking the mick» is common teasing, sometimes friendly, sometimes unkind. Phrases: «take the mick», «are you taking the mick?».

Examples

• Uncle Mick drives a lorry. tree →
• Are you taking the mick? tree →
• Stop taking the mick out of my haircut! tree →
• They were only taking the mick — it was a joke. tree →
• Mick has 12 stickers and gives half away. tree →
• Don't take the mick when someone makes a mistake. tree →

Note

As a name, capital M. «Take the mick» is informal; the longer «take the mickey» means the same. Calling an Irish person «a mick» is an insult (rude).