Idioms

have a monkey on one's back

have a monkey on (one's) back

slang
1. To have a drug addiction. Did you hear? Pete checked himself into rehab because he has a monkey on his back. A: "Is it true that she used to have a monkey on her back?" B: "Yeah, she was addicted to heroin for a while there." I did a lot of things I regret when I had a monkey on my back. I'm so glad to be clean now.
2. To have a burden. I have such a monkey on my back right now with this project—I can't wait for it to be over. Everyone in this neighborhood has a monkey on their back with these strict new parking laws, but town council doesn't want to hear it! I can't wait to just hang out with friends again, but I have a monkey on my back right now in the form of my master's thesis.
See also: back, have, monkey, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have a monkey on one’s back

tv. to have a drug addiction. (Drugs. Have got can replace have.) Gert has a monkey on her back.
See also: back, have, monkey, on
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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