Phrase guide

monkey see, monkey do

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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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1

phrase

Meaning 1

A conventional explanation for mimicry, especially of a foolish action done with no consideration of the consequences.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Monkeys are known for imitating others.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: القرد يرى، القرد يفعل — Translations
  • Chinese Mandarin: 人云亦云 (rényúnyìyún) — Translations
  • Finnish: apina matkii näkemäänsä — Translations
  • Japanese: 猿真似 (sarumane) — Translations
  • Polish: małpa widzi małpa robi — Translations
  • Portuguese: macaco vê, macaco faz — Translations
  • Spanish: ¿dónde va Vicente? donde va la gente — Translations