{To monkey with}, {To monkey around with}, to handle in a meddlesome manner. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster +PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
monkey (around) with (something) — to adjust something. It seems like any time they monkey with taxes, wealthy people benefit the most. Usage notes: usually said about an effort to fix or improve something, especially an effort that does not succeed … New idioms dictionary
monkey around with someone — Go to Mess around (with someone) … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
monkey around with something — Go to Mess around (with something) … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
monkey\ around — • fool around • mess around • play around • monkey around v informal 1. To spend time playing, fooling, or joking instead of being serious or working; waste time. If you go to college, you must work, not fool around. The boys fooled around all… … Словарь американских идиом
monkey around — v. (colloq.) (AE) (D; intr.) to monkey around with * * * (colloq.) (AE) (D; intr.) to monkey around with … Combinatory dictionary
monkey around — verb do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house • Syn: ↑putter, ↑mess around, ↑potter, ↑tinker, ↑monkey, ↑muck about, ↑muck around … Useful english dictionary
mess around (with someone) — AND mess about (with someone); monkey around (with someone) 1. in. to play with someone sexually. □ Those two have been messing around. □ Pete was messing around with Maria, and now she’s storked. 2. in. to waste someone’s time … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
mess around (with something) mess about (with something); — AND monkey around (with something) in. to play with or fiddle with something. □ Don’t mess around with the ashtray. □ You’ l l break it if you don’t stop monkeying around with it … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
Monkey — Mon key, v. t. & i. To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner. [1913 Webster] {To monkey with}, {To monkey around with}, to handle in a meddlesome manner. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster +PJC] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
monkey with — TAMPER WITH, fiddle with, interfere with, meddle with, tinker with, play with; informal mess with; Brit. informal muck about/around with. → monkey * * * monkey with [phrasal verb] monkey with (something) informal : to handle or play wit … Useful english dictionary
