a glint/hint of mischief (=an expression that shows someone wants to play tricks ) There was a glint of mischief in her eyes. phrases full of mischief (=often playing tricks on people or causing trouble ) I remembered him as a giggling boy who was full of 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. cause mischief (=do things that cause trouble or damage ) Boys were wandering around, out to cause 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. COLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2 verbs be up to mischief (=be doing things that cause trouble or damage ) The children were lively and always up to mischief. 3 → make mischief 4 → do yourself a mischief 5 formal DAMAGE damage or harm that is done to someone or to their property The jury cleared him of the charge of criminal mischief. 2 TRICK/DECEIVE the pleasure or enjoyment of playing tricks on people or embarrassing them Kiki’s eyes were bright with mischief. If you can’t see Nick, you can be sure he’s up to some mischief (=behaving badly and causing trouble or damage ). They’ve got enough toys to keep them out of mischief for a while.

○○ noun 1 BEHAVE bad behaviour, especially by children, that causes trouble or damage, but no serious harm Now run along, and don’t get into mischief.

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English mischief mis‧chief / ˈmɪstʃɪf /

The meaning of mischief