(Well) I'll be a monkey's uncle!
(Well) I'll be a monkey's uncle!
An expression of surprise or amazement. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle—Shane actually managed to get his movie made.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
I'll be a monkey's uncle!
Fig. I am amazed! A: I just won $500,000 in the lottery! B: Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
I'll be a monkey's uncle
used to express great surprise. informalSee also: uncle
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
monkey's uncle
An impossibility. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, especially the notion that man was descended from apes, was greeted with much skepticism, and especially in parts of the English-speaking world where Creationism held sway. Hence the expression “Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle,” which was used to show grave doubts about any and all seemingly improbable situations. Another animal phrase used by doubters and scorners was “when pigs fly.”
See also: uncle
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
- I'll be a monkey's uncle
- I'll be a monkey's uncle!
- monkey's uncle
- monkey's uncle, I'll be/am a
- on one's
- on someone's
- out of one's
- (I've) got to go
- save someone's skin
- (Have you) been OK?