View synonyms for mug

mug

[ muhg ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a drinking cup, usually cylindrical in shape, having a handle, and often of a heavy substance, as earthenware.
the quantity it holds.
Slang.
1. the face.
2. the mouth.
3. an exaggerated facial expression; grimace, as in acting.
4. a thug, ruffian, or other criminal.
British Slang. a gullible person; dupe; fool.

verb (used with object)

, mugged, mug·ging.

to assault or menace, especially with the intention of robbery.
Slang. to photograph (a person), especially in compliance with an official or legal requirement.

verb (used without object)

, mugged, mug·ging.

Slang. to grimace; exaggerate a facial expression, as in acting.

mug

/ mʌɡ /

noun

slang.
a person's face or mouth
get your ugly mug out of here!
slang.
a grimace
slang.
a gullible person, esp one who is swindled easily
a mug's game
a worthless activity

verb

informal.
tr to attack or rob (someone) violently
slang.
intr to pull faces or overact, esp in front of a camera

mug

/ mʌɡ /

noun

a drinking vessel with a handle, usually cylindrical and made of earthenware
Also calledmugful the quantity held by a mug or its contents

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mug¹

First recorded in 1560–70; probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish mugg, Norwegian, Danish mugge “drinking cup”; sense “face” apparently transferred from cups adorned with grotesque faces; sense “to assault” from earlier pugilistic slang “to strike in the face, fight”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mug¹

C18: perhaps from mug ¹, since drinking vessels were sometimes modelled into the likeness of a face

Origin of mug²

C16: probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish mugg

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