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ape

Definition

  • noun: a type of animal (such as a chimpanzee or gorilla) that is closely related to monkeys and humans and that is covered in hair and has no tail or a very short tail
  • noun: one of the larger tailless or short-tailed Old World forms
  • verb: to copy or imitate (something or someone)
  • verb: to copy closely but often clumsily and ineptly
  • usually used in the phrase 'go ape'
  • synonyms: monkey, mimic, dupe

Examples

  • Mom really 'went ape' [='went ballistic, blew her top'] when I got home late.

  • The kids 'go ape' [='go crazy, go wild'] whenever they hear that song.

  • Her boyfriend's some big 'ape' she met at a party.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Fire away. Well! The buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot... Oh, really? ...And the baboons are going ape over this. What are you doing, son? Of course, the giraffes are acting like they're above it all... Pouncing. Let an old pro show you how it's done. (..)
    1994 The Lion King