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Glite Dictionary
to chimp out

to chimp out

9.9
To panic suddenly and lose control
  • phrasal verb
  • Offensive
translation icon : [OFENSIVO] perder el control (ponerse histérico)
  • When faced with the sudden change in plans, he chimped out and couldn't think rationally.

Examples

  • You can't just chimp out every time plans change unexpectedly.

  • Try not to chimp out if things get stressful at work today.

  • She chimped out when she saw the giant spider on her desk.

  • Don't chimp out now!

  • He always chimps out when faced with challenges.

  • She chimed out unexpectedly during the presentation, causing everyone to pause in confusion.

  • Try not to chimp out in the face of difficulty; instead, stay calm and think clearly.

Synonyms

to freak
vsto chimp out
  • Informal
684 7.1

React very strongly and lose control because of fear or shock

focuses more on sudden, exaggerated irrational behaviour rather than general strong reaction
to freak out
vsto chimp out
  • Informal
430 6.8

To become very upset or afraid suddenly and lose control

is about panic and irrational actions beyond fear driven loss of control
to wig out
vsto chimp out
  • Informal
11 9.2

React with strong fear or excitement and lose control

is more narrowly about panicking and acting irrationally instead of any strong emotion
to bug-out
vsto chimp out
  • Slang
8.8

To react suddenly with fear and lose control

emphasizes irrational, exaggerated behaviour rather than only fear or loss of composure
to go into a tizzy
vsto chimp out
  • Informal
8.3

Get very upset and confused quickly

involves panicking and irrational actions rather than mainly confusion or upset

Antonyms

to keep one's cool
  • Informal
30 3.4

Stay calm and control your feelings when things are hard

How Uncontrolled

to go berserk
  • Informal
27 7.7
to chimp out
  • Offensive
9.9
to freak out
  • Informal
430 6.8
to panic
272 2.3
upset
9 2.5

Surface Forms

chimp out infinitive
chimping out present participle
chimps out third person singular
chumped out past
chumped out past participle

Morphology

chimp + out

A B1 learner who knows 'chimp' (the animal) and 'out' can partially infer a metaphorical meaning of 'going into a chimp-like state' — i.e., acting wildly or losing control — because 'chimp' evokes uncontrolled animal behavior and 'out' marks entering a state. However, the usage is slangy, culturally marked and the precise sense (panic, lose control, act irrationally) is not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Chimp out comes from the picture of a chimp suddenly going wild and out of control, making loud, chaotic movements. Because of that image, people use chimp out to mean 'to panic' or 'to act without control'.