a monkey on (one's) back



a monkey on (one's) back

1. slang A drug addiction. Did you hear? Pete checked himself into rehab to deal with the monkey on his back.
2. A burden. This project is such a monkey on my back right now—I can't wait for it to be over.
See also: back, monkey, on

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Eutropia-Ancient Greek
Marjani-Eastern African, Swahili
Rikutoṙee-koo-toJapanese
Kama-Hinduism
NoÉMi-Hungarian
ElmoEL-moEnglish, German, Italian