monkey in the middle

noun

A children's game in which two players keep an object away from a third player (who is in between them) by throwing it past that player.

Similar
pig in the middlepiggy in the middlekeep-away
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Meanings

nounmonkey in the middle (countable and uncountable, plural monkeys in the middle)

plural monkeys in the middle

  1. uncountablechildren's gamesA children's game in which two players keep an object away from a third player (who is in between them) by throwing it past that player.
  2. countableThe third player in that game.
  3. broadlycountablefigurativelyA middleman, particularly in a difficult spot or situation.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
pig in the middlepiggy in the middlekeep-away
Also see
pig in the middlesalugi

Translations

Dutch lummel
  • lummelTranslations
Portuguese bobinho
  • bobinhoTranslations
Spanish camote, camotito
  • camoteTranslations
  • camotitoTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

monkey in the middle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey%20in%20the%20middle

MLA

“monkey in the middle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey%20in%20the%20middle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “monkey in the middle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey%20in%20the%20middle.

Source: monkey in the middle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.