make a mockery of

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

make a mockery of (third-person singular simple present makes a mockery of, present participle making a mockery of, simple past and past participle made a mockery of)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To mock; to ridicule or imitate, often to express contempt.
   • 2011 September 13, Sam Lyon, “Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Arsenal”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     After Gervinho had been brilliantly denied an early shot on goal by Mats Hummels' outstretched boot, the German champions made a mockery of their fourth-seeding in this season's group-stage draw.

2. To give a bad name, to act in such a way as to bring ridicule upon that which one represents.
   • 1982 December 11, Ann Gluck, “Common Struggle”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 21, page 4:

     The Begin regime has made a mockery of the slogan "Never Again," which to me means a determination to work against another Holocaust occurring against the Jews or any other people.

   • 2023 November 1, Philip Haigh, “TPE must choose the right route to a brighter future”, in RAIL, number 995, page 56:

     This is also a TransPennine Express service which makes a mockery of the word 'express'.

3. (idiomatic, transitive) To defeat easily, so as to show up as inadequate.

   The burglars made a mockery of the museum's security system.