monkey see, monkey do

English

Etymology

Monkeys are known for imitating others.

Phrase

monkey see, monkey do

1. A conventional explanation for mimicry, especially of a foolish action done with no consideration of the consequences.
   • 2003, Eminem (lyrics and music), “Monkey See, Monkey Do”, in Straight from the Lab:

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

Translations

Translations

• Arabic: القرد يرى، القرد يفعل
• Finnish: apina matkii näkemäänsä
• Polish: małpa widzi małpa robi
• Portuguese: macaco vê, macaco faz (pt)
• Spanish: ¿dónde va Vicente? donde va la gente

Further reading

• monkey see, monkey do on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Eric Partridge (2005) “monkey see, monkey do”, in Tom Dalzell and Terry Victor, editors, The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, volume 2 (J–Z), London, New York, N.Y.: Routledge, →ISBN, page 1315.