make a monkey out of someone Definition

monkey
noun monkeys

1. Any mammal belonging to the primates other than a human, ape, chimpanzee, gibbon, orang utan or lemur, with a hairy coat, nails instead of claws and usually tree-dwelling.

Thesaurus: simian, primate.
2. colloq
A mischievous child.
Thesaurus: scamp, rascal.
(Brit)
3. slang
£500.
(US)
4. slang
An oppressive burden or habit, especially a drug addiction.
5. The falling weight of a pile-driver, etc (see also monkey engine).

verb

intr
monkeys, monkeyed, monkeying
1. colloq
To play, fool, interfere, etc with it.
Thesaurus: fiddle, tamper, pry, meddle, interfere, tinker, trifle.
Form: monkey about with something (especially)
Form: monkey around with something

Idiom: have a monkey on one's back

(S)
slang
To be addicted to drugs.

Idiom: make a monkey out of someone

colloq
To make them seem ridiculous; to make a fool of them.

Idiom: not give a monkey's

slang
Not to care at all.

Etymology: 16c.