Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: Mug

What does it mean?

In British slang, a mug is someone who is easily fooled or cheated. If you’ve been tricked into paying too much for something, you’ve been "taken for a mug." It’s also used as a verb ("to mug someone off"), which means to disrespect or treat someone like a fool. It’s an essential word for understanding British street slang and casual social dynamics.

Is it positive or negative?

Negative.

When do you use it?

Use it to describe someone easily tricked.

Examples

Example 1: It was a complete mug and we had to start again.

Example 2: The manager called it a mug, but we laughed it off.

Question for you

When would you use "Mug" in real life?

Don't Be Taken for a "Mug"

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