To tease or perform a prank on someone.
Wind up
Example Sentences
"Stop winding me up!"
"You taking the wind-up?"
Etymology & History
British slang meaning to tease or annoy someone, from winding up a clockwork mechanism (causing agitation). As verb: 'stop winding me up!' As noun: 'it's a wind-up' (a joke/prank). Emerged mid-20th century. Less offensive than 'taking the piss', more playful. Very common in British speech.
Word Details
📍
Region
General British
📅
Era
Modern
🔞
Language
Vulgar
💬
Formality
Slang
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition
British Slang from A to Zed
By Jonathan Thomas
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