give a monkey's
To care; to have an interest or concern.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He does not give a monkey's about the new rules.”
“Most people do not give a monkey's about what I wear to work.”
“She worked hard on the report, but her boss clearly did not give a monkey's about the results.”
“I told the neighbors that their loud music was keeping me awake, but they looked at me like they didn't give a monkey's.”
“Despite the public outcry regarding the environmental damage, the corporation acted as if they did not give a monkey's about the consequences of their actions.”
disputed origin
The expression is possibly a euphemistic ellipsis of several coarser variants, including to give a monkey’s toss, to give a monkey’s shit, to give a monkey’s fart, or to give a monkey’s arse. It belongs to a specific linguistic tradition of measuring one's indifference by the biological output of small mammals, a category that also includes the similar give a rat's arse. While the precise point of truncation remains unconfirmed, the phrase functions by omitting the vulgarity while retaining the primate.
- 01
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 02
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 03
give a fuck
To care; to give a shit.
- 04
give a good account of oneself
To act in a creditable manner.
- 05
give a hang
give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)
- 06
give a hoot
To care about; to place value on something.
- 07
give a light
To care.
- 08
give a rat's arse
To care a minimum amount; to have or show minimal interest
Last updated August 10, 2026