0803 Taking the piss - English Idioms

Explanation

Primarily British, Australian, and New Zealand slang with two main meanings:
1. Teasing, mocking, making fun of someone or something, often affectionately but sometimes maliciously. (Synonym: Taking the Mickey)
2. (Often as Are you taking the piss?) Expressing disbelief or annoyance at something perceived as unreasonable, unfair, or ridiculous. (Synonym: Are you kidding me? / Are you serious?)

Origin

Origin is uncertain and debated. Theories include:

Related to piss-proud (erect penis, hence false pride), so taking the piss means deflating someone's ego.
Figuratively draining or mocking someone.
Connected to taking the Mickey (Bliss), which is likely Cockney rhyming slang. The exact origin of Mickey Bliss is also debated.

Regardless of origin, it's deeply ingrained in informal Commonwealth English.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Ripping on someone (US) (Meaning: Teasing, making fun of)
Having someone on (UK/Aus) (Meaning: Teasing, tricking)
Are you for real? (Meaning: Disbelief)
No way! (Meaning: Disbelief)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Taking the fucking piss (Adds emphasis)
Are you fucking kidding me? (Disbelief)
Is he shitting me? (Disbelief)

Milder:

Just joking. / Only kidding. (Teasing)
That seems unreasonable. / Is that correct? (Disbelief)

Situational Appropriateness

Highly informal. Very common in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland.
Use Meaning 1 (teasing) carefully; know your audience. What's friendly banter to one person is offensive to another.
Meaning 2 (disbelief) is also informal but common in expressing frustration.
Avoid in formal settings or with people unfamiliar with the expression (especially Americans, who might only know 'pissed' as meaning angry or drunk). The word 'piss' makes it inherently informal/vulgar to some.

Misunderstanding Warnings

HUGE potential for misunderstanding, especially by North Americans. They might think it relates to being angry (pissed off) or literally urinating.
The dual meaning (teasing vs. disbelief) depends heavily on context and tone.
Non-native speakers need to understand the specific regional usage and informality.

Examples

Meaning 1 (Teasing):

Don't get offended, he's just taking the piss out of your new haircut.
We spent the whole evening taking the piss out of the terrible movie we watched.
He loves taking the piss, but he can take it when others tease him back.

Meaning 2 (Disbelief/Annoyance):

They want £20 for a coffee? Are they taking the piss?
You have to work on Saturday again? Your boss is taking the piss!
Wait, the train is cancelled *again*? You're taking the piss! (Said to the situation/fate, not a person)

Dialogue

# Meaning 1:

Liam: (Wearing a brightly colored hat) Ready for the party!

Chloe: Whoa, nice hat, Liam! Trying out for the circus? (Smiling)

Liam: Oi! Are you taking the piss?

Chloe: Only a little! It's... vibrant. Just taking the piss, mate!

# Meaning 2:

Raj: My landlord just increased the rent by 30%!

Sarah: Thirty percent?! Is he taking the piss? That's insane!

Raj: Tell me about it. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Response Patterns

To Meaning 1 (Teasing): Laughing along (Yeah, yeah, very funny), mild protest (Oi, pack it in!), playful retaliation (Alright, my turn!), getting genuinely annoyed if it goes too far.
To Meaning 2 (Disbelief): Agreement (I know, it's ridiculous!), justification (if the speaker is the one perceived to be 'taking the piss'), explanation (No, seriously, that's the price.).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After Meaning 1: The teasing might continue, the subject might change, someone might tell the teaser to stop.
After Meaning 2: Discussion about the unfairness/ridiculousness of the situation, complaining, seeking alternatives, expressing resignation.

Conversation Starter

No. It's usually a reaction or description of behaviour. The question form Are you taking the piss? can *start* a confrontation or clarification.

Intonation

Meaning 1 (Teasing): Often lighthearted, playful, possibly with laughter. Emphasis on PISS. Taking the PISS.
Meaning 2 (Disbelief): Often incredulous, annoyed, or outraged. Rising intonation on PISS if asking a question (Are you taking the PISS?!). Emphasis on TAKING if making a statement (He's TAKING the piss!).

Generation Differences

Common across most age groups in regions where it's used, perhaps slightly less common among very young children or in very formal older generations.

Regional Variations

Core slang in UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.
Less common and potentially misunderstood in North America, where pissed means angry (US) or drunk (UK/US). Americans might understand taking the piss from exposure to British media, but don't typically use it.

Eye of the tiger

🎲 Bloody hell