What it means
To take the piss means to mock someone, wind them up, or act like the whole thing's a joke with a cheeky little sting in it. It can be harmless mate banter, or it can mean someone's pushing it so hard you're one sentence away from kicking off. Say it laughing and it's teasing. Say it sharp and it's a warning.
Usage examples
"They want forty quid for two drinks and a packet of crisps, in a sticky pub with no music. Nah mate, they’re taking the piss, I’m off."
"Eight quid for a coffee? They're absolutely taking the piss, I'll make my own at home."
"He turned up two hours late with no apology, mate's properly taking the piss now."
"You said you'd be five minutes and rolled in after the film started. You're taking the piss, mate."
"Fifty quid to get in and the place is half empty? They're taking the absolute piss."
Where it comes from
This is old British slang, well established by the 20th century. The longer form take the piss out of someone showed up first, meaning to mock or ridicule them. Over time it also stretched into calling out cheek, nonsense, or someone pushing their luck so far it starts smelling of disrespect.
Other ways to say it
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