taking the piss
/ˈteɪkɪŋ ðə pɪs/
Very CommonMocking someone, acting disrespectfully, or asking for something unreasonable.
Three distinct uses: (1) light teasing between friends, (2) genuine disbelief at bad behaviour, and (3) calling out something overpriced or unreasonable. All three are in active use and overlap noticeably.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20 quid for a pint? they are taking the piss | The price is so high it feels like a deliberate insult. | x, 2024 |
| 02 | my manager asked me to come in on saturday AND sunday. are you taking the piss | The request is so unreasonable the speaker cannot believe it is serious. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | he turned up 2 hours late and then asked if we could pay for his food. taking the piss mate | The person's behaviour is seen as cheeky and disrespectful. | reddit, 2023 |
| 04 | stop taking the piss, you knew that was my lunch | The speaker is accusing someone of joking at their expense. | x, 2022 |
Use it when
- Someone is making fun of you and you want to call it out.
- A request or demand is unreasonable to the point of absurdity.
- Playfully teasing a friend in a banter context.
- Prices, fees, or terms are so bad they feel like a joke.
Do not use it when
- In professional communication or formal writing.
- You mean something is merely surprising rather than outrageous.Use “having a laugh” instead.
Variations and related forms
Taking the piss vs having a laugh
taking the piss
Taking the piss implies disrespect or unreasonable behaviour.
VS
having-a-laugh
Having a laugh is lighter and more about joking around.
Origin and context
British expression with origins in military slang. Has been in widespread civilian use since at least the 1940s.
- First seen
- mid-20th century
- Confidence
- medium
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https://slang.fyi/taking-the-pissUpdated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0