Funny business Meaning in English
expression
ˈfəni/ /ˈbɪznəs/, /ˈbɪznɪs
FUH-nee BIZ-nuhs
fˈʌni/ /bˈɪznəs
FUN-nee BIZ-nuhs
Definition
This expression refers to dishonest, suspicious, or illegal behavior, especially when someone tries to cheat or deceive others.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used in warnings ('no funny business'), especially in speech. Implies deceit or trickery, not humor. Common in police or crime contexts. Don't confuse with 'funny' meaning 'amusing' — here, it refers to suspicious or dishonest actions.
Spanish: juego sucio - cosas raras - trampaPortuguese (BR): sacanagem - coisa estranha - tramoiaPortuguese (PT): marosca - coisa estranha - tramoiaChinese (Simplified): 鬼把戏 - 可疑行为Chinese (Traditional): 鬼把戲 - 可疑行為Hindi: गड़बड़ी - धोखाधड़ीArabic: ألاعيب مشبوهة - نشاط مريبBengali: অলস কাজ - ধোঁকাবাজি - বেআইনি কাজRussian: мошенничество - подозрительное дело - нечестная играJapanese: 怪しいこと - 不正行為Vietnamese: gian lận - trò mờ ám - hành vi bất hợp phápKorean: 수상한 짓 - 사기 - 불법 행위Turkish: hileli iş - dalavere - yasa dışı işUrdu: دھوکہ دہی - مشکوک حرکت - غیر قانونی کامIndonesian: trò gian lận - hành vi mờ ám - việc làm phi pháp
Example Sentences
No funny business in my store, understood?
basic
The police warned them not to try any funny business.
basic
There’s some funny business going on with the company accounts.
basic
Cut the funny business and tell me the truth.
natural
If there’s any funny business, you’re out of the deal.
natural
We need this to be an honest deal—no funny business.
natural