mischiefmis‧chief /ˈmɪstʃɪf/ ●○○ noun 
1[uncountable] bad behaviour, especially by children, that causes trouble or damage, but no serious harm: 
Now run along, and don’t get into mischief. They’ve got enough toys to keep them out of mischief for a while. If you can’t see Nick, you can be sure he’s up to some mischief (=behaving badly and causing trouble or damage).2[uncountable] the pleasure or enjoyment of playing tricks on people or embarrassing them: Kiki’s eyes were bright with mischief.3make mischief informal to deliberately cause quarrels or unfriendly feelings between peoplemischief between I didn’t want to make mischief between them.4do yourself a mischief British English informal to injure yourself slightly: If you try to lift that box, you’ll do yourself a mischief.5[uncountable] formal damage or harm that is done to someone or to their property: The jury cleared him of the charge of criminal mischief.COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2verbsbe up to mischief (=be doing things that cause trouble or damage)· The children were lively and always up to mischief.get into/up to mischief (also make mischief) (=do things that cause trouble or damage)· You spend too much time getting into mischief!keep/stay out of mischief (=not do things that cause trouble etc)· Can I trust you to stay our of mischief for half an hour?keep somebody out of mischief (=prevent someone from causing trouble)· Playing football helps keep him out of mischief.cause mischief (=do things that cause trouble or damage)· Boys were wandering around, out to cause mischief.somebody's eyes twinkle/dance with mischief (=they show that someone wants to cause trouble, play tricks etc)· Leo nodded, his eyes shining with mischief.phrasesfull of mischief (=often playing tricks on people or causing trouble)· I remembered him as a giggling boy who was full of mischief.a glint/hint of mischief (=an expression that shows someone wants to play tricks)· There was a glint of mischief in her eyes.
1[uncountable] bad behaviour, especially by children, that causes trouble or damage, but no serious harm: Now run along, and don’t get into mischief. They’ve got enough toys to keep them out of mischief for a while. If you can’t see Nick, you can be sure he’s up to some mischief (=behaving badly and causing trouble or damage).2[uncountable] the pleasure or enjoyment of playing tricks on people or embarrassing them: Kiki’s eyes were bright with mischief.3make mischief informal to deliberately cause quarrels or unfriendly feelings between peoplemischief between I didn’t want to make mischief between them.4do yourself a mischief British English informal to injure yourself slightly: If you try to lift that box, you’ll do yourself a mischief.5[uncountable] formal damage or harm that is done to someone or to their property: The jury cleared him of the charge of criminal mischief.COLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2verbsbe up to mischief (=be doing things that cause trouble or damage)· The children were lively and always up to mischief.get into/up to mischief (also make mischief) (=do things that cause trouble or damage)· You spend too much time getting into mischief!keep/stay out of mischief (=not do things that cause trouble etc)· Can I trust you to stay our of mischief for half an hour?keep somebody out of mischief (=prevent someone from causing trouble)· Playing football helps keep him out of mischief.cause mischief (=do things that cause trouble or damage)· Boys were wandering around, out to cause mischief.somebody's eyes twinkle/dance with mischief (=they show that someone wants to cause trouble, play tricks etc)· Leo nodded, his eyes shining with mischief.phrasesfull of mischief (=often playing tricks on people or causing trouble)· I remembered him as a giggling boy who was full of mischief.a glint/hint of mischief (=an expression that shows someone wants to play tricks)· There was a glint of mischief in her eyes.