monkey climb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (colloquial/specialized)Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “monkey climb” mean?
To climb like a monkey.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To climb like a monkey; to scale a surface using both hands and feet in an agile, rapid, or somewhat reckless manner.
A playful or competitive activity where participants attempt to climb a structure, often a tree or pole, using a simian-like technique; also used metaphorically to describe rapid, uncontrolled ascension in contexts like finance or career.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in UK English, often associated with playground games and pub challenges (e.g., climbing a greased pole). In US English, it may be more literal or describe a specific scrambling technique.
Connotations
UK: Often nostalgic, childish, or related to traditional fairground/pub games. US: Can imply a quick, improvised, or unorthodox method of ascent.
Frequency
Rare in formal writing in both dialects. Occurs in spoken language, instructional contexts for children, and descriptive journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “monkey climb” in a Sentence
[Subject] monkey climb [Object (tree/pole/wall)][Subject] have/go for a monkey climbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monkey climb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to monkey climb the drainpipe to retrieve his football.
- The challenge was to monkey climb the flagpole in under a minute.
American English
- You can monkey climb that tree if you're careful.
- The recruits were taught to monkey climb the cargo net swiftly.
adjective
British English
- 'Monkey climb' competitions are a staple of our village fete.
American English
- He used a monkey-climb technique to get over the wall.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically: 'The startup continued to monkey climb the market rankings.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly in primatology or child development studies describing locomotion.
Everyday
Describing children playing on playground equipment or trees. 'The kids love to monkey climb the old oak.'
Technical
Not typical. Might appear in forestry, rope access, or military training describing a specific rapid ascent technique.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monkey climb”
- Using it as a noun only (e.g., 'He did a monkey climb' is okay, but 'He performed a monkey climb' sounds odd). Confusing with 'monkey bars' (playground equipment).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency, informal collocation. It's understood but not a standard climbing term.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'He had a quick monkey climb'), but its primary use is as a verb phrase.
'Monkey climb' specifically evokes the speed, agility, and full-body engagement of a primate, often in a playful or non-technical context. 'Climb' is the generic term.
Not inherently. It's a descriptive simile based on observed animal behavior. However, as with any animal-based term, context is key to avoid dehumanizing comparisons.
To climb like a monkey.
Monkey climb is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Monkey climb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki ˌklaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki ˌklaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Monkey climb the greasy pole" (UK: striving for success in a difficult, competitive environment)”
- “"To have a monkey on one's back" (different idiom: an addiction or persistent problem)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a monkey climbing a palm tree for a coconut – hands and feet moving quickly together.
Conceptual Metaphor
RAPID ASCENT IS MONKEY-LIKE CLIMBING; PLAYFUL/COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY IS PRIMATE BEHAVIOR.
Practice
Quiz
Which context best fits the metaphorical use of 'monkey climb'?