monkey

as artful (or clever) as a wagonload (or cartload) of monkeys extremely clever or mischievous. British informal

brass monkey: seebrass.

have a monkey on your back

1 have a burdensome problem.

2 be dependent on drugs. informal

☞ Sense 2 originated as mid-20th-century US slang; it can also mean 'experience withdrawal symptoms after ceasing to take a drug'.

have (or get) your monkey up be angry.

I'll be a monkey's uncle used to express great surprise. informal

like a monkey on a stick restless and agitated.

☞ The image here is of a child's toy which consists of a figure of a monkey attached to a stick up and down which it can be moved.

make a monkey of (or out of) someone humiliate someone by making them appear ridiculous.

monkey see, monkey do used to suggest that someone has slavishly imitated another, especially in doing something foolish. informal, chiefly North American

2004Trinidad Guardian Advanced technology has limited the independence of all nations and states. The world is now a global village, and monkey see monkey do as they all scramble for a dollar.

not give a monkey's be completely indifferent or unconcerned. informal

☞ The expression is a euphemistic shortening of not give a monkey's fuck or not give a monkey's toss.

put (or get) a person's monkey up make someone angry. informal