Hugger Mugger

C2 8+

Pronunciation: /ˈhʌɡər ˈmʌɡər/

Definitions of hugger mugger

noun a state of confusion or disorder; secrecy or concealment

Example Sentences

A1 I heard some hugger mugger outside my window last night.

A2 The children were playing hugger mugger in the park.

B1 The company's financial dealings were shrouded in hugger mugger.

B2 The politician was accused of engaging in hugger mugger activities.

C1 The espionage operation was conducted with great hugger mugger to avoid detection.

C2 The conspiracy was carried out with such hugger mugger that it took years to uncover.

adjective characterized by secrecy or concealment

Example Sentences

A1 The children played in a hugger mugger manner, making a mess of the living room.

A2 The new employee was confused by the hugger mugger instructions given by the manager.

B1 The detective had to sift through the hugger mugger evidence to solve the case.

B2 The company's financial records were in a hugger mugger state, requiring a thorough audit.

C1 The government's decision-making process was criticized for being hugger mugger and lacking transparency.

C2 The artist's studio was a hugger mugger of paints, brushes, and unfinished canvases, reflecting his chaotic creative process.

Examples of hugger mugger in a Sentence

formal The company's financial records were kept in hugger mugger, making it difficult to track expenses.

informal I found my keys in the hugger mugger of my messy room.

slang The group of friends gathered in the hugger mugger of the basement to plan their surprise party.

figurative The politician's true intentions were hidden in a hugger mugger of vague promises and misleading statements.

Grammatical Forms of hugger mugger

past tense

hugger-muggered

plural

hugger-muggers

comparative

more hugger-mugger

superlative

most hugger-mugger

present tense

hugger-muggers

future tense

will hugger-mugger

perfect tense

have hugger-muggered

continuous tense

is hugger-muggering

singular

hugger-mugger

positive degree

hugger-mugger

infinitive

to hugger-mugger

gerund

hugger-muggering

participle

hugger-muggered

Origin and Evolution of hugger mugger

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Middle English
Story behind the word: The term 'hugger mugger' originated from Middle English, where 'hugger' meant to lie in hiding or conceal oneself, and 'mugger' meant a thief or swindler.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'hugger mugger' evolved to refer to secretive or clandestine behavior, rather than specifically criminal activities. It is now commonly used to describe something done in a secretive or furtive manner.