Mugging meaning : To strike in the face. To assault for the purpose of robbery. To exaggerate a facial expression for communicative emphasis; to make a face, to pose, as for photographs or in a performance, in an exaggerated or affected manner. To photograph for identification; to take a mug shot. To learn or review a subject as much as possible in a short time; cram. A quick violent robbery of a person, usually in a public place.