mock

make (a) mock of (someone or something)

To subject someone or something to mockery or ridicule; to make fun of someone or something. The film openly makes mock of the sacrifices and hardships our soldiers had to endure during that unfortunate war. His crass, spiteful speech made a mock of our democracy.

See also: make, mock, of

mock up

To create a draft, model, or simulated version of something to demonstrate how it looks or works. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mock" and "up." We mocked up a prototype of the new irrigation system to demonstrate its benefits to the city council. I sketch out the designs of our latest cars, and the engineering department mocks them up.

See also: mock, up

mocking is catching

If one engages in mockery, it encourages others to do the same. A: "As soon as he started making fun of me, the other kids joined in too!" B: "Oh dear, mocking is catching, isn't it?"

See also: catching, mock

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

mock something up

to make a model or simulation of something. The engineers mocked the new car design up for the managers to see. They mocked up the new car design.

See also: mock, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

mock up

v.

To make a model of something, especially as part of a presentation: We mocked up our ideas for the stage scenery to see if it would be hard to build. Take these building plans and mock them up for the presentation.

See also: mock, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.