the organ grinder, not the monkey

短语

发音

UK /ðiː ˈɔːɡən ˌɡɹaɪndə nɒt ðə ˈmʌŋki/
US /ði ˈɔɹɡən ˌɡɹaɪndəɹ nɑt ðə ˈmʌŋki/

词形变化

the organ grinders, not the monkeys 复数 the organ grinders 复数 not the monkeys 复数

别名

the organ-grinder, not the monkey

释义与例句

n.
  1. 1.

    Synonym of organ grinder (“the person who is in charge, rather than a lackey or representative; the person truly responsible for another's actions”).

    习语

词源

From the common 19th-century practice of organ grinders training monkeys to dance to music played on a barrel organ in order to perform on the street and solicit donations.

来源：wiktionary