noun
Meaning 1
More abuse than profit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: more kicks than ha'pence
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
monkey's allowance
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
History
Etymology
Said to be the reward of the monkeys carried by wandering showmen in centuries past; the monkeys had to perform to beg halfpence from passers-by by exhibiting their privates parts, but the coins they had earned they then had to carry back to the master, while he would kick or otherwise abuse the poor creatures to force them to keep performing.