MISCHIEF

[noun] - behaviour, esp. of a child, which is slightly bad but is not intended to cause serious harm or damageHe needs a hobby to keep him busy and stop him from getting into mischief. [U]Perhaps a new bike would keep him out of mischief. [U]I hope you haven't been up to any mischief while I was away. [U]Helen's great fun at parties - she's full of mischief and always playing tricks on people. [U](dated) Just sit quietly, Chrissy, and don't be such a mischief (= a child who behaves badly). [C]Sometimes mischief is used to avoid referring to something worse, such as damage.Those vandals were up to some mischief at the factory again last night.Missiles like these can do a lot of mischief.(UK informal) You'll do yourself a mischief (= hurt yourself) if you're not careful with that knife.(dated) If you make mischief you say something which causes other people to be upset or annoyed with each other.My children often try to make mischief between me and my new husband.In spite of the arms reductions, the potential for some serious mischief-making remains. [I]