English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Barrel of monkeys
Meaning
The idiom "barrel of monkeys" is used to describe a group of people who are disorganized, chaotic, or difficult to manage. It suggests that the group is like a barrel full of monkeys, where each person is trying to do their own thing without any regard for what the others are doing. The figurative meaning is that the group is unpredictable and can cause trouble.
Usage
- The team's performance was so poor, they were like a barrel of monkeys playing soccer.
- The party was out of control; it was like a barrel of monkeys on crack.
- I don't know how you manage your employees; they're like a barrel of monkeys at work.
- The traffic was insane; it was like a barrel of monkeys trying to find their way out of a maze.
- I don't trust people who are always late; they're like a barrel of monkeys playing hide and seek.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom is not entirely clear, but it is thought to have originated in Europe during the Middle Ages. The idea was that a group of animals, such as monkeys, would climb into a barrel and cause chaos, much like a group of people who were disorganized or difficult to manage. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved slightly. It is now often used to describe a group of people who are unpredictable or difficult to control, rather than just being disorganized.
Synonyms in English
- A herd of cats
- A pack of wolves
- A swarm of bees
- A bunch of lemmings
- A horde of locusts
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish - "un grupo de burros" (a group of donkeys)
- French - "une bande de singes" (a group of monkeys)
- German - "ein Schafstall" (a pen of sheep)
- Italian - "una mandria di mucci" (a herd of cows)
- Japanese - "一紋の鳥" (a flock of birds)