go ape

go ape

1. slang To become wildly or uncontrollably angry. My parents went totally ape when they found out I'd wrecked the car! Now, don't go ape or anything, but I've decided to move to Canada.
2. slang To become extremely excited or enthusiastic (about something). I've never understood that pop star's popularity, but kids just go ape over her music.
See also: ape, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go ape (over someone or something)

Sl. to become very excited over something. I just go ape over chocolate. Sam went ape over Mary.
See also: ape, go
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

go ape

Become wildly excited or enthusiastic. For example, The audience went ape over the band. This idiom is a modern version of the older go berserk. It fancifully equates frenzy with an ape's behavior. [Second half of 1900s] Also see go bananas.
See also: ape, go
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

go ape

INFORMAL
If someone goes ape, they start to behave in an uncontrolled way, usually because they are very excited or very angry. The crowd went ape. Is he never tempted to break away, to go ape for a period? Note: You can also say that someone goes ape crazy. You don't get the chance to go ape crazy. Note: You can also say that someone goes apeshit. If we mentioned her ex-husband, she would literally go apeshit. Note: People who behave in a violent or uncontrolled way are being compared with apes.
See also: ape, go
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

go ape

go wild; become violently excited. informal
Originally mid 20th-century North American slang, this expression possibly refers to the 1933 movie King Kong, which stars a giant ape-like monster.
See also: ape, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go ˈape

(also go ˈapeshit taboo) (slang, especially American English) become extremely angry or excited: The manager went ape when the team lost yet another game.
See also: ape, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go ape

verb
See go ape over someone/something
See also: ape, go
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

go ape

Informal
To become wildly excited or angry: went ape at the party; went ape when she saw the parking ticket.
See also: ape, go
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

go ape, to

To act frenzied with delight, fury, or some other strong emotion. Why such behavior should be described as apelike is not known. The slangy term dates from about 1950 and is used in such contexts as “The audience went ape over the new jazz combo,” or “The school board goes ape over the very mention of budget cuts.” A related and possibly derivative cliché is to go bananas, with roughly the same meaning. It dates from the 1960s. The National Public Radio show All Things Considered had it: “When you mention the word ‘nuclear,’ people start to go bananas” (April 13, 1983). See also go ballistic.
See also: go
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • go ape, to
  • go ape over (someone or something)
  • go ape over someone/something
  • apeshit
  • go bitchcakes
  • go apeshit
  • go apeshit over (something)
  • go apeshit over someone/something
  • go ballistic
  • go ballistic, to
References in periodicals archive
After being assured by the Go Ape man below that everything was perfectly safe she steps gingerly off the platform.
Before your Go Ape adventure starts, you will be fitted with a harness and given a safety briefing.
Go Ape is the UK's leading Forest Adventure company providing a variety of challenges and adventures up in the trees amidst some of the country's most breath-taking scenery.
Encourage your kids to step out and take on a junior park fun, or maybe Go Ape (top right), go karting (right) or enjoy watersports (below)
If plans were to go ahead a Go Ape adventure playground would run from the north west corner of the park right into the centre and would incorporate dozens of trees along with gated entry points, poles and zip wire landing pads.
With treetop high wires, tricky crossings and zip wires, Go Ape Matfen promises to be a tremendous day out.
WE'VE a pounds 100 family ticket for Go Ape's tree top adventure courses to be won.
"My worst one is if I see a pair of sunglasses with fingerprints on them I go ape. I can't breathe!
A TREE top adventure instructor's key responsibility is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors trying out tree top adventure courses, such as Go Ape at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot.
Johnny Vegas will go ape if someone takes his pri-mate
Well, if they could eat bananas fixed this way, they would really go ape!
COVENTRY'S tree-top Go Ape adventure course now has an official opening date.
Swing by Go Ape in Scotland for an amazing autumn adventure in the trees.
Other fun-filled activities include Go Ape! near Peebles, Kailzie Gardens and Traquair House near Innerleithen.