Take the piss Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈteɪk/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈpɪs

TAYK thuh PISS

UK

tˈeɪk/ /ðə, ði/ /pˈɪs

TAYK thuh PISS

Definition

A British slang expression meaning to mock, joke about, or make fun of someone, often in a teasing or disrespectful way.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal and mostly used in the UK and Ireland. Can be friendly or offensive, depending on tone and context. Common collocations: 'He's just taking the piss', 'Are you taking the piss?' Not used in polite or formal settings. Often confused with 'take a piss' (to urinate), but the meanings are different.

• Spanish: burlarse - reírse (de alguien) - tomar el pelo
• Portuguese (BR): zoar - tirar sarro - caçoar
• Portuguese (PT): gozar - troçar - brincar (com alguém)
• Chinese (Simplified): 取笑 - 嘲弄
• Chinese (Traditional): 取笑 - 嘲弄
• Hindi: मज़ाक उड़ाना - चिढ़ाना
• Arabic: يسخر - يستهزئ
• Bengali: ঠাট্টা করা - মজা করা (অপমানজনকভাবে)
• Russian: издеваться - насмехаться
• Japanese: からかう - バカにする
• Vietnamese: chọc ghẹo - chế giễu
• Korean: 놀리다 - 비웃다
• Turkish: dalga geçmek - alay etmek
• Urdu: مذاق اُڑانا - تمسخر کرنا
• Indonesian: meledek - memperolok

Example Sentences

Are you taking the piss or are you serious?

basic

He always takes the piss out of my accent.

basic

Don't take the piss during the meeting.

basic

Stop taking the piss—you know I can't dance!

natural

I thought she was being nice, but she was just taking the piss.

natural

You paid that much? Someone's taking the piss!

natural