monkey-branch

verb

To attempt to improve one's status (at work, or in personal relationships, etc.) by repeatedly choosing the best option and then moving to better options as they become available.

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Meanings

verbmonkey-branch (third-person singular simple present monkey-branches, present participle monkey-branching, simple past and past participle monkey-branched)

present singular third person monkey-branches · participle present monkey-branching · participle past monkey-branched · past monkey-branched

  1. informalintransitiveTo attempt to improve one's status (at work, or in personal relationships, etc.) by repeatedly choosing the best option and then moving to better options as they become available.

    Therefore, you should have no qualms about checking relevant job postings at least once a month and monkey-branching to one of your company's competitors if they offer a better salary.

    2020, Chase Austin, The Deconverted Man
    1 more example

    There's a term for it called "monkey branching" that was introduced in the previous chapters. Like a metaphorical monkey swinging thru branches, they level up on men they encounter as potential mates in their lives, and so should you.

    2020, Acie Mitchell, How to Be a High Value Man: The Blueprint to Success With Women, page 67

Origin

By analogy with a monkey climbing trees by swinging from branch to branch.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

monkey-branch. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey-branch

MLA

“monkey-branch.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey-branch. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “monkey-branch,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/monkey-branch.

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