funny business
1 of 1noun/ˈfʌni ˈbɪznəs/
1
any activity or behavior that is considered suspicious, dishonest, or deceptive, often intended to deceive or cheat others
The idiom "funny business" has been in use since the early 20th century and conveys the idea of actions or dealings that may not be entirely trustworthy. It is often used in a lighthearted or casual manner, but can also convey a more serious tone when referring to potentially unethical conduct.
- I suspect there's some funny business going on with the company's financial statements.
- She always keeps an eye out for any signs of funny business in her neighborhood.
- They are investigating the case to determine if there's any funny business involved.
- Last week, we discovered there had been some funny business with the accounting records.
- The authorities uncovered a series of funny business activities that had been happening for months.