monkey see, monkey do

phrase

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

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Meanings

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

    Monkey see, monkey do / Don't ever make the first move, just let 'em come to you

    2003, Eminem, “Monkey See, Monkey Do”, in Straight from the Lab
    1 more example

    Then why Hong Kong people stock toilet paper? Because monkey see monkey do. Hong Kong people stock toilet paper because people scared toilet paper come from China, tomorrow China no toilet paper, we all cannot go pang sai.

    2020 February 20, Chan Chun Sing, as quoted, “Full transcript of 25-minute leaked audio recording of Chan Chun Sing dialogue with SCCCI”, in Mothership.sg

Origin

Monkeys are known for imitating others.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Arabic القرد يرى، القرد يفعل
  • القرد يرى، القرد يفعلTranslations
Chinese Mandarin 人云亦云
  • 人云亦云 (rényúnyìyún)Translations
Finnish apina matkii näkemäänsä
  • apina matkii näkemäänsäTranslations
Japanese 猿真似
  • 猿真似 (sarumane)Translations
Polish małpa widzi małpa robi
  • małpa widzi małpa robiTranslations
Portuguese macaco vê, macaco faz
  • macaco vê, macaco fazTranslations
Spanish ¿dónde va Vicente? donde va la gente
  • ¿dónde va Vicente? donde va la genteTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

monkey see, monkey do. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey%20see%2C%20monkey%20do

MLA

“monkey see, monkey do.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey%20see%2C%20monkey%20do. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “monkey see, monkey do,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey%20see%2C%20monkey%20do.

Source: monkey see, monkey do on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.