diff --git a/include/you.h b/include/you.h
index 791517c4f..d455366ff 100644
--- a/include/you.h
+++ b/include/you.h
@@ -540,6 +540,8 @@ struct _hitmon_data {
 
 /* point px,py is adjacent to (or same location as) hero */
 #define next2u(px,py) (distu((px),(py)) <= 2)
+/* is monster on top of or next to hero? */
+#define m_next2u(m) (distu((m)->mx,(m)->my) <= 2)
 /* hero at (x,y)? */
 #define u_at(x,y) ((x) == u.ux && (y) == u.uy)
 
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index 0180526dd..31048fa5a 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -870,9 +870,9 @@ static boolean
 mleashed_next2u(struct monst *mtmp)
 {
     if (mtmp->mleashed) {
-        if (!next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+        if (!m_next2u(mtmp))
             mnexto(mtmp, RLOC_NOMSG);
-        if (!next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)) {
+        if (!m_next2u(mtmp)) {
             struct obj *otmp = get_mleash(mtmp);
 
             if (!otmp) {
diff --git a/src/do_name.c b/src/do_name.c
index f7e1ab764..e57afbbac 100644
--- a/src/do_name.c
+++ b/src/do_name.c
@@ -2267,7 +2267,7 @@ distant_monnam(
        unless you're adjacent (overridden for hallucination which does
        its own obfuscation) */
     if (mon->data == &mons[PM_HIGH_CLERIC] && !Hallucination
-        && Is_astralevel(&u.uz) && !next2u(mon->mx, mon->my)) {
+        && Is_astralevel(&u.uz) && !m_next2u(mon)) {
         Strcpy(outbuf, article == ARTICLE_THE ? "the " : "");
         Strcat(outbuf, mon->female ? "high priestess" : "high priest");
     } else {
diff --git a/src/hack.c b/src/hack.c
index ef868ad96..63050ef55 100644
--- a/src/hack.c
+++ b/src/hack.c
@@ -2435,7 +2435,7 @@ escape_from_sticky_mon(coordxy x, coordxy y)
     if (u.ustuck && (x != u.ustuck->mx || y != u.ustuck->my)) {
         struct monst *mtmp;
 
-        if (!next2u(u.ustuck->mx, u.ustuck->my)) {
+        if (!m_next2u(u.ustuck)) {
             /* perhaps it fled (or was teleported or ... ) */
             set_ustuck((struct monst *) 0);
         } else if (sticks(gy.youmonst.data)) {
diff --git a/src/mail.c b/src/mail.c
index 92c8fe1cc..628029b04 100644
--- a/src/mail.c
+++ b/src/mail.c
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ newmail(struct mail_info *info)
         if (info->response_cmd)
             new_omailcmd(obj, info->response_cmd);
 
-        if (!next2u(md->mx, md->my)) {
+        if (!m_next2u(md)) {
             SetVoice(md, 0, 80, 0);
             verbalize("Catch!");
         }
diff --git a/src/mhitu.c b/src/mhitu.c
index 7efec2e19..58e3c448e 100644
--- a/src/mhitu.c
+++ b/src/mhitu.c
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ mattacku(register struct monst *mtmp)
             /* Your steed won't attack you */
             return 0;
         /* Orcs like to steal and eat horses and the like */
-        if (!rn2(is_orc(mtmp->data) ? 2 : 4) && next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)) {
+        if (!rn2(is_orc(mtmp->data) ? 2 : 4) && m_next2u(mtmp)) {
             /* attack your steed instead; 'bhitpos' and 'notonhead' are
                already set from tagetting hero */
             i = mattackm(mtmp, u.usteed);
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ mattacku(register struct monst *mtmp)
                 return 1;
             /* make sure steed is still alive and within range */
             if ((i & M_ATTK_DEF_DIED) != 0 || !u.usteed
-                || !next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+                || !m_next2u(mtmp))
                 return 0;
             /* Let your steed retaliate */
             gb.bhitpos.x = mtmp->mx, gb.bhitpos.y = mtmp->my;
@@ -828,7 +828,7 @@ mattacku(register struct monst *mtmp)
                     mon_currwep = MON_WEP(mtmp);
                     if (mon_currwep) {
                         boolean bash = (is_pole(mon_currwep)
-                                        && next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my));
+                                        && m_next2u(mtmp));
 
                         hittmp = hitval(mon_currwep, &gy.youmonst);
                         tmp += hittmp;
@@ -1989,7 +1989,7 @@ doseduce(struct monst *mon)
                 Ring_gone(uright);
                 /* ring removal might cause loss of levitation which could
                    drop hero onto trap that transports hero somewhere else */
-                if (u.utotype || !next2u(mon->mx, mon->my))
+                if (u.utotype || !m_next2u(mon))
                     return 1;
                 setworn(ring, RIGHT_RING);
             } else if (uleft && uleft->otyp != RIN_ADORNMENT) {
@@ -1997,7 +1997,7 @@ doseduce(struct monst *mon)
                 pline("%s replaces %s with %s.",
                       Who, yname(uleft), yname(ring));
                 Ring_gone(uleft);
-                if (u.utotype || !next2u(mon->mx, mon->my))
+                if (u.utotype || !m_next2u(mon))
                     return 1;
                 setworn(ring, LEFT_RING);
             } else
@@ -2030,7 +2030,7 @@ doseduce(struct monst *mon)
        and changing location, so hero might not be adjacent to seducer
        any more (mayberem() has its own adjacency test so we don't need
        to check after each potential removal) */
-    if (u.utotype || !next2u(mon->mx, mon->my))
+    if (u.utotype || !m_next2u(mon))
         return 1;
 
     if (uarm || uarmc) {
@@ -2208,7 +2208,7 @@ mayberem(struct monst *mon,
         return;
     /* removal of a previous item might have sent the hero elsewhere
        (loss of levitation that leads to landing on a transport trap) */
-    if (u.utotype || !next2u(mon->mx, mon->my))
+    if (u.utotype || !m_next2u(mon))
         return;
 
     /* being deaf overrides confirmation prompt for high charisma */
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index 855a3a4ae..c3e44b590 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -1068,7 +1068,7 @@ movemon_singlemon(struct monst *mtmp)
         if (mtmp->mundetected)
             return FALSE;
     } else if (mtmp->data->mlet == S_EEL && !mtmp->mundetected
-               && (mtmp->mflee || !next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+               && (mtmp->mflee || !m_next2u(mtmp))
                && !canseemon(mtmp) && !rn2(4)) {
         /* some eels end up stuck in isolated pools, where they
            can't--or at least won't--move, so they never reach
@@ -3124,7 +3124,7 @@ void
 set_ustuck(struct monst *mtmp)
 {
     if (iflags.sanity_check || iflags.debug_fuzzer) {
-        if (mtmp && !next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+        if (mtmp && !m_next2u(mtmp))
             impossible("Sticking to %s at distu %d?",
                        mon_nam(mtmp), mdistu(mtmp));
     }
@@ -4257,7 +4257,7 @@ restrap(struct monst *mtmp)
         /* can't hide on ceiling if there isn't one */
         || (ceiling_hider(mtmp->data) && !has_ceiling(&u.uz))
         /* won't hide when adjacent to hero */
-        || (sensemon(mtmp) && next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)))
+        || (sensemon(mtmp) && m_next2u(mtmp)))
         return FALSE;
 
     if (mtmp->data->mlet == S_MIMIC) {
@@ -5268,7 +5268,7 @@ angry_guards(boolean silent)
         if (is_watch(mtmp->data) && mtmp->mpeaceful) {
             ct++;
             if (canspotmon(mtmp) && mtmp->mcanmove) {
-                if (next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+                if (m_next2u(mtmp))
                     nct++;
                 else
                     sct++;
diff --git a/src/monmove.c b/src/monmove.c
index e0610fcca..5282f1890 100644
--- a/src/monmove.c
+++ b/src/monmove.c
@@ -827,7 +827,7 @@ dochug(register struct monst* mtmp)
             break;
         case MMOVE_MOVED: /* monster moved */
             /* if confused grabber has wandered off, let go */
-            if (mtmp == u.ustuck && !next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+            if (mtmp == u.ustuck && !m_next2u(mtmp))
                 unstuck(mtmp);
             if (grounded(mdat))
                 disturb_buried_zombies(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my);
diff --git a/src/muse.c b/src/muse.c
index 99e1612c9..5a7f0b562 100644
--- a/src/muse.c
+++ b/src/muse.c
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ find_defensive(struct monst *mtmp, boolean tryescape)
     if (!tryescape && dist2(x, y, mtmp->mux, mtmp->muy) > 25)
         return FALSE;
     if (tryescape && Is_knox(&u.uz)
-        && !next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my) && m_next2m(mtmp))
+        && !m_next2u(mtmp) && m_next2m(mtmp))
         return FALSE;
     if (u.uswallow && stuck)
         return FALSE;
@@ -2084,7 +2084,7 @@ find_misc(struct monst *mtmp)
             && uwep && !rn2(5) && obj == MON_WEP(mtmp)
             /* hero's location must be known and adjacent */
             && u_at(mtmp->mux, mtmp->muy)
-            && next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)
+            && m_next2u(mtmp)
             /* don't bother if it can't work (this doesn't
                prevent cursed weapons from being targeted) */
             && !u.uswallow
diff --git a/src/priest.c b/src/priest.c
index 67ec89e53..4cc40f0e3 100644
--- a/src/priest.c
+++ b/src/priest.c
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ priestname(
     /* same as distant_monnam(), more or less... */
     if (do_hallu || !high_priest || reveal_high_priest
         || !Is_astralevel(&u.uz)
-        || next2u(mon->mx, mon->my) || gp.program_state.gameover) {
+        || m_next2u(mon) || gp.program_state.gameover) {
         Strcat(pname, " of ");
         Strcat(pname, halu_gname(mon_aligntyp(mon)));
     }
diff --git a/src/shk.c b/src/shk.c
index a6da8621f..a2dc796aa 100644
--- a/src/shk.c
+++ b/src/shk.c
@@ -1454,7 +1454,7 @@ dopay(void)
     for (shkp = next_shkp(fmon, FALSE); shkp;
          shkp = next_shkp(shkp->nmon, FALSE)) {
         sk++;
-        if (next2u(shkp->mx, shkp->my)) {
+        if (m_next2u(shkp)) {
             /* next to an irate shopkeeper? prioritize that */
             if (nxtm && ANGRY(nxtm))
                 continue;
@@ -1495,7 +1495,7 @@ dopay(void)
              shkp = next_shkp(shkp->nmon, FALSE))
             if (canspotmon(shkp))
                 break;
-        if (shkp != resident && !next2u(shkp->mx, shkp->my)) {
+        if (shkp != resident && !m_next2u(shkp)) {
             pline("%s is not near enough to receive your payment.",
                   Shknam(shkp));
             return ECMD_OK;
@@ -1533,7 +1533,7 @@ dopay(void)
             pline("%s is not interested in your payment.", Monnam(mtmp));
             return ECMD_OK;
         }
-        if (mtmp != resident && !next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)) {
+        if (mtmp != resident && !m_next2u(mtmp)) {
             pline("%s is too far to receive your payment.", Shknam(mtmp));
             return ECMD_OK;
         }
@@ -2088,7 +2088,7 @@ inherits(
         takes[0] = '\0';
         if (helpless(shkp))
             Strcat(takes, "wakes up and ");
-        if (!next2u(shkp->mx, shkp->my))
+        if (!m_next2u(shkp))
             Strcat(takes, "comes and ");
         Strcat(takes, "takes");
 
@@ -4505,10 +4505,10 @@ shopdig(int fall)
             return;
 #endif
         }
-        if (!next2u(shkp->mx, shkp->my)) {
+        if (!m_next2u(shkp)) {
             mnexto(shkp, RLOC_MSG);
             /* for some reason the shopkeeper can't come next to you */
-            if (!next2u(shkp->mx, shkp->my)) {
+            if (!m_next2u(shkp)) {
                 if (lang == 2)
                     pline("%s curses you in anger and frustration!",
                           Shknam(shkp));
diff --git a/src/teleport.c b/src/teleport.c
index 6a7b08781..d017f7d32 100644
--- a/src/teleport.c
+++ b/src/teleport.c
@@ -1603,7 +1603,7 @@ rloc_to_core(
         if (u.uswallow) {
             u_on_newpos(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my);
             docrt();
-        } else if (!next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)) {
+        } else if (!m_next2u(mtmp)) {
            unstuck(mtmp);
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/trap.c b/src/trap.c
index c9f227c19..414e9184a 100644
--- a/src/trap.c
+++ b/src/trap.c
@@ -5829,7 +5829,7 @@ openholdingtrap(
                 pline("%s%s opens.", upstart(strcpy(buf, which)), trapdescr);
         }
         /* might pacify monster if adjacent */
-        if (rn2(2) && next2u(mon->mx, mon->my))
+        if (rn2(2) && m_next2u(mon))
             reward_untrap(t, mon);
     }
     return TRUE;
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index 41896c95f..c233e088b 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ attack_checks(
         if (M_AP_TYPE(mtmp) && !Protection_from_shape_changers) {
             if (!u.ustuck && !mtmp->mflee && dmgtype(mtmp->data, AD_STCK)
                 /* applied pole-arm attack is too far to get stuck */
-                && next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+                && m_next2u(mtmp))
                 set_ustuck(mtmp);
         }
         /* #H7329 - if hero is on engraved "Elbereth", this will end up
@@ -1940,7 +1940,7 @@ shade_miss(
 
     if (verbose
         && ((youdef || cansee(mdef->mx, mdef->my) || sensemon(mdef))
-            || (magr == &gy.youmonst && next2u(mdef->mx, mdef->my)))) {
+            || (magr == &gy.youmonst && m_next2u(mdef)))) {
         static const char harmlessly_thru[] = " harmlessly through ";
 
         what = (!obj || shade_aware(obj)) ? "attack" : cxname(obj);
@@ -3215,7 +3215,7 @@ mhitm_ad_stck(
 
     if (magr == &gy.youmonst) {
         /* uhitm */
-        if (!negated && !sticks(pd) && next2u(mdef->mx, mdef->my)) {
+        if (!negated && !sticks(pd) && m_next2u(mdef)) {
             set_ustuck(mdef); /* it's now stuck to you */
             if (barbs)
                 Your("barbs stick to %s!", y_monnam(mdef));
@@ -5266,7 +5266,7 @@ hmonas(struct monst *mon)
     boolean monster_survived;
 
     /* not used here but umpteen mhitm_ad_xxxx() need this */
-    gv.vis = (canseemon(mon) || next2u(mon->mx, mon->my));
+    gv.vis = (canseemon(mon) || m_next2u(mon));
 
     /* with just one touch/claw/weapon attack, both rings matter;
        with more than one, alternate right and left when checking
@@ -6024,7 +6024,7 @@ stumble_onto_mimic(struct monst *mtmp)
 
     if (!u.ustuck && !mtmp->mflee && dmgtype(mtmp->data, AD_STCK)
         /* must be adjacent; attack via polearm could be from farther away */
-        && next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+        && m_next2u(mtmp))
         set_ustuck(mtmp);
 
     if (Blind) {
diff --git a/src/wizard.c b/src/wizard.c
index 911dbed65..b2b34508f 100644
--- a/src/wizard.c
+++ b/src/wizard.c
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ amulet(void)
             continue;
         if (mtmp->iswiz && mtmp->msleeping && !rn2(40)) {
             mtmp->msleeping = 0;
-            if (!next2u(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my))
+            if (!m_next2u(mtmp))
                 You(
       "get the creepy feeling that somebody noticed your taking the Amulet.");
             return;