ape

[eyp] /eɪp/
noun
1.
any of a group of anthropoid primates characterized by long arms, a broad chest, and the absence of a tail, comprising the family Pongidae (great ape) which includes the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan, and the family Hylobatidae (lesser ape) which includes the gibbon and siamang.
2.
(loosely) any primate except humans.
3.
an imitator; mimic.
4.
Informal. a big, ugly, clumsy person.
verb (used with object), aped, aping.
5.
to imitate; mimic:
to ape another's style of writing.
Idioms
6.
go ape, Slang. to become violently emotional:
When she threatened to leave him, he went ape.
7.
go ape over, Slang. to be extremely enthusiastic about:
They go ape over old rock music.
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English apa; cognate with Old Saxon apo, Old Norse api, Old High German affo (German Affe)
Related forms
apelike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for go ape

ape

/eɪp/
noun
1.
any of various primates, esp those of the family Pongidae, in which the tail is very short or absent See anthropoid ape See also great ape
2.
(not in technical use) any monkey
3.
an imitator; mimic
4.
(US, informal) a coarse, clumsy, or rude person
verb
5.
(transitive) to imitate
Derived Forms
apelike, adjective
Word Origin
Old English apa; related to Old Saxon ape, Old Norse api, Old High German affo
Word Origin and History for go ape

ape

n.

Old English apa "ape, monkey," from Proto-Germanic *apan (cf. Old Saxon apo, Old Norse api, Dutch aap, German affe), perhaps borrowed in Proto-Germanic from Celtic (cf. Old Irish apa) or Slavic (cf. Old Bohemian op, Slovak opitza), perhaps ultimately from a non-Indo-European language.

Apes were noted in medieval times for mimicry of human action, hence, perhaps, the other figurative use of the word, to mean "a fool." To go ape (in emphatic form, go apeshit) "go crazy" is 1955, U.S. slang. To lead apes in hell (1570s) was the fancied fate of one who died an old maid.

v.

"to imitate," 1630s, but the notion is implied earlier, e.g. to play the ape (1570s), Middle English apeshipe "ape-like behavior, simulation" (mid-15c.); and the noun sense of "one who mimics" may date from early 13c. Related: Aped; aping.

Slang definitions & phrases for go ape

go ape

verb phrase
  1. To behave stupidly, irrationally, and violently; go wild: When they told him, he went ape and wrecked his room
  2. To be very enthusiastic; admire enormously: People are going quietly ape over the girl/ Everyone we met, experienced native and green tourist alike, went ape for it (1950s+)

ape

adjective
  1. (also ape-shit) Stupid and destructive; irrational; berserk: You acted like you were ape, pounding the wall
  2. (also ape-shit) Very enthusiastic; highly excited; bananas: He's ape about my new car
noun
  1. A black person
  2. The best or greatest; the ultimate: Her paintings are truly ape (Beat talk & rock and roll)
  3. An especially strong and pugnacious hoodlum; a strong-arm man or muscle man; goon, gorilla
Related Terms

go ape, house ape, rug rat


Related Abbreviations for go ape

APE

acute pulmonary edema
go ape in the Bible

an animal of the monkey tribe (1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chr. 9:21). It was brought from India by the fleets of Solomon and Hiram, and was called by the Hebrews _koph_, and by the Greeks _kepos_, both words being just the Indian Tamil name of the monkey, kapi, i.e., swift, nimble, active. No species of ape has ever been found in Palestine or the adjacent regions.

Idioms and Phrases with go ape

go ape

Become wildly excited or enthusiastic. For example, The audience went ape over the band. This idiom is a modern version of the older go berserk It fancifully equates frenzy with an ape's behavior. [ Second half of 1900s ]
Also see: go bananas