“Go Ape”
Definition: To become wildly excited or enthusiastic.
Imagine a scenario at the zoo; suddenly, a normally docile gorilla goes… bananas! This idiom is inspired by those moments of excitement and uncontrollable enthusiasm similar to that unrestricted state of wild zeal. When someone “goes ape,” they’re letting loose all their mainstream decorum—and having a blast.
✨ Related and Similar Terms
- Go bananas: To become wild with excitement.
- Go nuts: To exhibit ecstatic or irrational behavior.
- Flip out: To suddenly show strong emotions, often negative.
- Lose it: To become emotionally overwhelmed.
- Freak out: To experience or show strong emotional reactions.
📜 Proverbs and Expressions
- “Let your hair down” : To relax and behave informally.
- “Throw caution to the wind” : To act impulsively despite possible dangers.
- “Paint the town red” : To go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.
📚 Suggested Reading
- “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” by Friedrich Nietzsche: Understand the wild beast within man.
- “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding: Explore the primal instincts in youth.
🎶 Song Picks
- “Wild Thing” by The Troggs: An anthem for unleashing those primal instincts.
- “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf: A rock classic for the free-spirited.
🎥 Movie Picks
- “Jumanji” (1995 & 2017): Where people literally go wild.
- “The Wolf of Wall Street”: A depiction of primal business frenzy.
💭 Inspirational Thought
“Unleashing our inner primal instincts, going ape, might just be the wild inner dance we all need to reconnect with life’s unstructured joy.”
### What does 'Go Ape' mean?
- [x] To become wildly excited or enthusiastic
- [ ] To stand still and do nothing
- [ ] To play chess quietly
- [ ] To eat bananas slowly
> **Explanation**: To 'Go Ape' means to exhibit a surge of excitement. Imagine convulsive joy similar to a gorilla's unpredictable and passionate behavior in the wild.
### Which related phrase means almost the same as 'Go Ape'?
- [ ] Go to sleep
- [x] Go bananas
- [ ] Eat like a horse
- [ ] Draw a blank
> **Explanation:** "Go bananas" is a close synonym meaning to become uncontrollably enthusiastic; such terminologies share the exuberant, often frenetic, outburst theme.
### True or False: 'Go Ape' means to be calm and collected.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** 'Go Ape' is the absolute opposite. It means having a bursting surge of excitement or enthusiasm, not being calm or collected.
Farewell for now. May understanding and embracing the wild phrases in our language bring an unbounded and joyous zest to your life. Go ape, be merry, and face the lexical jungle with unbridled enthusiasm.
Yours truly, Phoebe Phrazebook
