2007-10-12 10:20:45 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Are you walking around with a monkey on your back? Most of us are. "Monkeys" are worries, regrets, anger and guilt that never keep quiet and refuse to sit still. They are born from the more than 50,000 thoughts each of us think each day, largely about things we cannot control, do not wish to see happen, won’t have time to experience or can’t let go. When it comes to mind and spirit self-improvement, monkeys are what hold us back from thinking clearly, reaching our goals and feeling more peaceful.
2007-10-12 10:29:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
It means that there is some negative situation going on that, no matter what you do, it won't go away. It has a variety of applications. This phrase is used for addicts who can't stop abusing whatever it is they're addicted to. But, it's also used to describe an athlete who can't seem to reach some kind of athletic milestone (like when Barry Bonds was stuck at 755 home runs, he finally "got the monkey off his back" when he hit 756 and finally broke the home run record).
The phrase is derived from the notion that monkeys cling to things with their hands and their feet (they have opposable foot thumbs) and, were a monkey to climb onto your back where you can't reach him, you would have a very difficult time removing the monkey from your back, no matter what you tried, if the monkey chose not to climb down. What this implies is, by "having a monkey on your back," the negative situation has taken on a life of its own and is willfully imposing itself on you.
2007-10-12 10:34:26 · answer #2 · answered by Paul in San Diego 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Monkey On Your Back
2016-09-29 06:23:37 · answer #3 · answered by bedlion 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that there's something that you are having to do - maybe forced to do, or addicted to - and you can't get away from it. It's like a monkey clinging to your back - you can't get rid of it.
2007-10-12 10:53:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an expression....It means that you have to much to do in to little time......With a child on you're back.
2007-10-12 10:31:07 · answer #5 · answered by Weird, but proud & happy! 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It means you have a drug problem, or some other serious habit that won't go away.
2007-10-12 10:27:20 · answer #6 · answered by that'sBS 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it means you have a liitle kid on your back or you are under pressure to get something done
2007-10-12 10:24:51 · answer #7 · answered by Abby B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of pressure to get something done...
2007-10-12 10:24:06 · answer #8 · answered by Tankerwife 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋