Dictionary

give a monkey's en · VERB

Etymology

Possibly a euphemistic ellipsis of “to give a monkey's toss”, “to give a monkey's shit”, "to give a monkey's fart", or “to give a monkey's arse”; compare give a rat's arse or give a rat's ass.

Meanings

1. (UK, idiomatic, in negative constructions, informal) To care; to have an interest or concern.
   • Though a huge majority of the population may have continued not to give a monkey's for Derrida, Lacan, or Foucault themselves […] 2004, Randall Stevenson, The Oxford English Literary History, 1960–2000:
   • I couldn't give a monkey's. What I am interested in is the things that drive the big numbers. 2002, a British Manufacturing Director, quotee, edited by Robert Westwood and Stephen Linstead, The Language of Organization, page 71:
   • A friend living in France reports that the French don't give a monkey's about unpasteurized dairy products (cheese, etc.) but that they are completely paranoid about le toxoplasmosis. 2005, Justine Roberts, Carrie Longton, Mums on Pregnancy: Trade Secrets from the Real Experts:
   • He knows what he can do with his calendars. I don't give a monkey's. I'm leaving. I've got another job. 1998, Willis Hall, Keith Waterhouse, Billy Liar:

Forms

Synonyms

concern oneself · worry · mind · bother · heed · reck · becare · trouble oneself · care