Get a monkey off your back

usgb
phrase

To solve or get rid of a problem or difficulty that has been worrying you for a long time.

After finally passing my driving test, I felt like I had gotten the monkey off my back.
Visual representation of "get a monkey off your back" - To solve or get rid of a problem or difficulty that has been worrying you for a long time

Often appears as...

  • finally get the monkey off your back
  • struggling to get the monkey off your back

Usage tips

Informal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "get a monkey off your back"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Stress Relief

Use when expressing the relief after eliminating a stressful problem.

Illustration for Stress Relief
He finally got the monkey off his back by quitting the stressful job.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emotional Weight

Highlights the emotional burden associated with the problem that's been resolved.

Illustration for Emotional Weight
Clearing her debts, she got the monkey off her back.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Persisting Difficulty

Implies the problem solved has been persistent, maybe spanning a long period.

Illustration for Persisting Difficulty
After years of study, he finally got the monkey off his back and graduated.
Visual representation of the word "Get a monkey off your back"

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