mickey

Everyday

1. (a name) Mickey is a first name, short for Michael, and the name of Mickey Mouse, the famous cartoon mouse from Disney. tree →
2. (UK, informal) To take the mickey (out of someone) means to tease them or make fun of them. tree →
3. (informal) Mickey Mouse (as an adjective) means silly, small or not serious: a Mickey Mouse job. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, Mickey Mouse is on toys, clothes and in theme parks. In British, Irish and Australian playground talk, «stop taking the mickey» means stop teasing; teasing that hurts someone is unkind, and teachers deal with it. In a story, it shows friendly banter or meanness depending on tone. Phrases: «Mickey Mouse», «take the mickey», «extract the mickey» (joking).

Examples

• (a name) Mickey Mouse has big round ears. tree →
• (a name) My uncle Mickey is a builder. tree →
• (UK, informal) Stop taking the mickey out of my haircut! tree →
• (UK, informal) Are you taking the mickey? That's a terrible joke. tree →
• (informal) It was a Mickey Mouse competition with only three teams. tree →
• We met Mickey at Disneyland. tree →

Note

«Take the mickey» is UK, Irish and Australian; Americans more often say «make fun of» or «tease». Capital M for the name. «Mickey Mouse» as an adjective is a bit rude about something.