mug
[ muhg ]
/ mʌg /
noun
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.
Origin of mug
1560–70; probably < 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”
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH mug
burglarize mug rip off rob steal (see synonym study at rob)Words nearby mug
muffle color,
muffler,
muffuletta,
mufti,
mufulira,
mug,
mug punter,
mug shot,
mug up,
mug's game,
mugabe
Example sentences from the Web for mug
British Dictionary definitions for mug (1 of 2)
mug
1
/ (mʌɡ) /
noun
a drinking vessel with a handle, usually cylindrical and made of earthenware
Also called: mugful
the quantity held by a mug or its contents
Word Origin for mug
C16: probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish
mugg
British Dictionary definitions for mug (2 of 2)
mug
2
/ (mʌɡ) /
noun
slang
a person's face or mouth
get your ugly mug out of here!
slang
a grimace
British slang
a gullible person, esp one who is swindled easily
a mug's game
a worthless activity
verb mugs, mugging or mugged
(tr) informal
to attack or rob (someone) violently
(intr) British slang
to pull faces or overact, esp in front of a camera
See also
mug up
Word Origin for mug
C18: perhaps from
mug
1, since drinking vessels were sometimes modelled into the likeness of a face