the organ grinder, not the monkey
Synonym of organ grinder (“the person who is in charge, rather than a lackey or representative; the person truly responsible for another's actions”).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Talk to the manager, the organ grinder, not the monkey.”
“You should email the organ grinder, not the monkey, if you want a decision.”
“The assistant cannot change the policy, so you should speak to the organ grinder, not the monkey.”
“I wasted an hour arguing with the clerk before realizing I needed to find the organ grinder, not the monkey, to get a refund.”
“If you wish to resolve this dispute, you must address the organ grinder, not the monkey, as the subordinates lack the authority to negotiate.”
The phrase draws from a common 19th-century street performance in which an entertainer operated a barrel organ while a trained monkey danced and solicited donations from the public. The animal was the distraction, but the grinder was the proprietor. The expression distinguishes the individual who possesses the authority and the instrument from the subordinate who merely performs the footwork.
- 01
as clever as a cartload of monkeys
Very clever, cunning or mischievous.
- 02
barrel of monkeys
Someone or something very amusing or funny, fun, mischievous, etc.
- 03
brass monkey
Very cold.
- 04
brass monkeys
Very cold.
- 05
cheeky monkey
An impudent person, usually a child.
- 06
get one's monkey up
To make someone angry, annoyed or irritated.
- 07
grease monkey
A mechanic, often with the specific connotation of an automobile mechanic.
- 08
like butter on a bald monkey
Very smooth.
Last updated August 10, 2026