london.localmean.com/mug-off
mug off
MUG off · /mʌɡ ɒf/
Local meaning
To make someone look foolish, disrespect them, deceive them, or take advantage of them.
To “mug someone off” is stronger and more specific than merely calling them a mug. It describes an action that humiliates, dismisses, exploits, or publicly disrespects someone. Reality television and social media have helped make the phrase familiar outside London, but it remains ordinary British slang.
Examples in context
- I’m not letting them mug me off again.
- He mugged her off in front of everyone.
- They promised a refund and then completely mugged us off.
How it is used
The person usually appears between the verb and particle: “mug me off”. Passive forms such as “I got mugged off” are also common.
Angry, hurt, accusatory, or emphatic.
Arguments, relationships, complaints, workplace disputes, and social media.
Informal settings; the phrase is too confrontational for many formal exchanges.
It can escalate a disagreement because it accuses another person of deliberate disrespect or exploitation.
Spelling and scope
British slang widely heard in London and across the UK; associated with conflict, disrespect, and being taken advantage of rather than one particular dialect.
- Search forms
mugged offmugging off
Common search forms stay discoverable without claiming that every London community uses one spelling.
Common patterns
- mug me off
- got mugged off
- trying to mug us off
- don’t mug him off
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
Sources support the definition, history, or usage layer. Local review remains welcome.
- mug off — definition and meaningCollins English Dictionary
Defines the British slang phrasal verb as making someone look stupid or taking advantage of them.
- mug — definition and meaningCollins English Dictionary
Documents British informal senses for a foolish or easily deceived person and an informal word for a face.