causing mischief for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing mischief for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions that lead to trouble or playful wrongdoing directed at someone or something. Example: "The group of friends was known for causing mischief for their unsuspecting neighbors during the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"You were that friend of the main character who was always causing mischief for everyone".

The New Yorker

And the pleasure of Skool Daze wasn't in beating the game anyway, but in playing around with it – causing mischief for others to take the blame, setting traps, or just watching the little people tick over.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If there's any fun to being incarcerated, it must be causing mischief from the inside.

Forbes

He also found he could give rein to his penchant for causing mischief and for teasing authority.

The Guardian

Was he concerned about his proprietor, Viscount Rothermere, not sharing his journalistic passion for causing mischief?

The Guardian

Bevins was famous for causing mischief in both the political and journalism world, and this is where the award takes its name.

The Guardian

A newspaper put a black man up to buying some stamps at a white counter - he was refused - and when there was a row in parliament you defended that and attacked the newspaper for causing mischief.

The Guardian

In Austin, TX, the victim of a bar fight has been causing mischief at The Tavern for decades, changing the TV channels or banging dishes in the kitchen.

Huffington Post

Social media become one of the most powerful tools for the campaigns to spread information, and for those causing mischief to spread misinformation.

Vice

I was heavily involved in the student movement for a while, occupying buildings, attending demos and generally causing mischief.

Vice

It was really good fun and felt like we were causing mischief and changing things".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "causing mischief for", ensure the context clarifies whether the mischief is playful or malicious. The tone can significantly alter the perception.

Common error

Avoid using "causing mischief for" in highly formal or professional contexts. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "creating problems for" or "generating difficulties for" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing mischief for" acts as a verb phrase, describing an action of creating trouble or playful wrongdoing directed toward someone or something. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "causing mischief for" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe actions that lead to trouble or playful wrongdoing directed at someone or something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While examples are relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the context; in more formal settings, alternatives like "creating problems for" may be more appropriate. The phrase's informal tone can soften the impact of negative actions. Ensuring the context clearly indicates if the mischief is playful or more serious is also important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating problems for

Replaces "mischief" with the more general term "problems".

making trouble for

Uses the common idiom "making trouble" instead of "causing mischief".

stirring up difficulty for

Emphasizes the act of initiating the problem.

generating complications for

Formal alternative, highlights the creation of complex issues.

inflicting hardship on

Focuses on causing suffering or disadvantage.

creating adversity for

Highlights the creation of unfavorable conditions.

playing havoc with

Emphasizes disruptive and chaotic effects.

wreaking havoc on

Stronger emphasis on destruction and disorder.

raising challenges for

Highlights the creation of obstacles and difficulties.

setting traps for

Focuses on creating deliberate obstacles or schemes.

FAQs

How can I use "causing mischief for" in a sentence?

You can use "causing mischief for" to describe actions that create trouble or playful wrongdoing for someone or something. For example, "The children were known for causing mischief for their neighbors during the summer."

What are some alternatives to "causing mischief for"?

You can use alternatives like "creating problems for", "making trouble for", or "stirring up difficulty for" depending on the context.

Is "causing mischief for" formal or informal?

"Causing mischief for" leans toward the informal side. For formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "generating complications for" or "creating adversity for".

What is the difference between "causing mischief for" and "causing trouble for"?

While both phrases are similar, "causing mischief for" often implies a lighter, more playful form of trouble, whereas "causing trouble for" can suggest more serious or problematic consequences.