ape
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ape (one's) behavior
To mimic the behavior of one, generally in a mocking or derisive manner. It is pretty standard now for comedians to ape the president's behavior and manner of speech.
ape hangers
slang Tall, angled handlebars on a motorcycle. I like how ape hangers look, but they make my arms go numb after a while.
ape leader
obsolete A pejorative term for an older single woman; a spinster or old maid. From an old proverb that women who die unmarried are fated to lead apes—considered at the time to be unproductive animals—in hell. At the risk of being labeled an ape leader by ignorant people, I have chosen a life without marriage, and I am perfectly happy to do so.
aped
slang Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really aped!
See also: ape
go ape
1. slang To become wildly or uncontrollably angry. My parents went totally ape when they found out I'd wrecked the car! Now, don't go ape or anything, but I've decided to move to Canada.
2. slang To become extremely excited or enthusiastic (about something). I've never understood that pop star's popularity, but kids just go ape over her music.
go ape over (someone or something)
1. slang To become wildly or uncontrollably angry about someone or something. My parents went totally ape over the news that I'd wrecked the car! Now, don't go ape over it, but I've decided to move to Canada.
2. slang To become extremely excited or enthusiastic about someone or something. I've never understood that pop star's popularity, but kids just go ape over her.
go apeshit
1. rude slang To be or become wildly or uncontrollably angry. My parents went totally apeshit when they found out I'd wrecked the car! Now, don't go apeshit or anything, but I've decided to move to Canada.
2. rude slang To be or become extremely excited or enthusiastic (about something). I've never understood that pop star's popularity, but kids just go apeshit over her music.
naked ape
dated A human being, referring to the fact that humans are the only primates not entirely covered in hair. The phrase comes from zoologist Desmond Morris's 1967 book The Naked Ape. Yeah, in my experience, we naked apes aren't that bright once alcohol is involved.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go ape (over someone or something)
Sl. to become very excited over something. I just go ape over chocolate. Sam went ape over Mary.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
go ape
Become wildly excited or enthusiastic. For example, The audience went ape over the band. This idiom is a modern version of the older go berserk. It fancifully equates frenzy with an ape's behavior. [Second half of 1900s] Also see go bananas.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
go ape
INFORMALIf someone goes ape, they start to behave in an uncontrolled way, usually because they are very excited or very angry. The crowd went ape. Is he never tempted to break away, to go ape for a period? Note: You can also say that someone goes ape crazy. You don't get the chance to go ape crazy. Note: You can also say that someone goes apeshit. If we mentioned her ex-husband, she would literally go apeshit. Note: People who behave in a violent or uncontrolled way are being compared with apes.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
go ape
go wild; become violently excited. informalOriginally mid 20th-century North American slang, this expression possibly refers to the 1933 movie King Kong, which stars a giant ape-like monster.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
go ˈape
(also go ˈapeshit taboo) (slang, especially American English) become extremely angry or excited: The manager went ape when the team lost yet another game.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ape
n. a hoodlum or strong-arm man, especially if big and strong. (Underworld.) Tell your ape to let me go!
ape hangers
n. long steering handles on a bicycle or motorcycle. Who is that guy riding the bike with ape hangers?
aped
(ept) mod. alcohol intoxicated. I’ve never seen my brother so totally aped before.
See also: ape
go ape (over someone/something)
in. to become very excited over someone or something. I just go ape over chocolate.
go ape
verbMcGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
go ape
Informal To become wildly excited or angry: went ape at the party; went ape when she saw the parking ticket.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
go ape, to
To act frenzied with delight, fury, or some other strong emotion. Why such behavior should be described as apelike is not known. The slangy term dates from about 1950 and is used in such contexts as “The audience went ape over the new jazz combo,” or “The school board goes ape over the very mention of budget cuts.” A related and possibly derivative cliché is to go bananas, with roughly the same meaning. It dates from the 1960s. The National Public Radio show All Things Considered had it: “When you mention the word ‘nuclear,’ people start to go bananas” (April 13, 1983). See also go ballistic.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer