get one's monkey up
To make someone angry, annoyed or irritated.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't get your monkey up over such a small mistake.”
“His constant complaining about the schedule really got my monkey up during the meeting.”
“The politician tried to remain calm, but the reporter's persistent questions about his past eventually got his monkey up.”
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abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026