The idiom "slip someone a mickey" means to secretly add a drug, usually a sedative or a sleeping pill, to someone's drink or food without their knowledge or consent. This is often done with the intention of making the person unconscious or incapacitated.
The term "mickey" is believed to have originated from the name of a drug called chloral hydrate, which was commonly used as a sedative in the early 20th century. The drug was sold under the brand name "Mickey Finn" and was notorious for being used by criminals to rob or assault unsuspecting victims.
The idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is tricked or drugged without their knowledge or consent. It is often associated with criminal activity, such as robbery or sexual assault. However, it can also be used in a more lighthearted way to describe a situation where someone is surprised or caught off guard.
For example, if someone is at a party and their friend slips them a mickey in their drink as a prank, they might feel disoriented or confused. In this case, the term is used in a more playful way and does not have any harmful intentions.
Overall, "slip someone a mickey" is an idiom that describes a situation where someone is drugged without their knowledge or consent, often with the intention of causing harm or taking advantage of them.
• I can't believe someone would try to slip a mickey to their coworker just to get ahead at work.
• It's important to always watch your drink at a crowded bar so that no one can slip you a mickey without you knowing.
• I heard that some people might try to slip someone a mickey at parties, which means to secretly put a drug into their drink.
• The detective suspected foul play when he learned that the victim's drink had been spiked with a drug, possibly by someone who wanted to "slip them a mickey."
• Despite being warned about the dangers of accepting drinks from strangers, the tourist still fell victim to someone who had slipped them a mickey while they weren't looking.
• I'm sorry, I don't understand what "slip someone a mickey" means.