a monkey on your back

a monkey on (one's) back

1. slang A drug addiction. Did you hear? Pete checked himself into rehab to deal with the monkey on his back.2. A burden. This project is such a monkey on my back right now—I can't wait for it to be over.See also: back, monkey, on

monkey on (one's) back

A persistent burden or problem. Trust me, don't get in debt. You don't want that monkey on your back.See also: back, monkey, on

a monkey on your back

JOURNALISMIf you have a monkey on your back, you have a problem, often an emotional problem, that makes your life difficult for a long period. They haven't beaten United in three years and it's a monkey on their backs that they are desperate to shake off. Note: You can also say that you get the monkey off your back, meaning that you manage to end the problem. I'm just delighted to win and get the monkey off our back with a home victory at last. Note: `To have a monkey on your back' originally meant to be angry. Later it came to be used to say that someone was addicted to drugs; it is still used in this way today. See also: back, monkey, on