as clever as a cartload of monkeys
- idiom
- Informal
:
tan astuto como un cargamento de monos
- Their prank was as clever as a cartload of monkeys—no one saw it coming.
Examples
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She left the negotiations looking as clever as a cartload of monkeys after securing that deal.
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He came up with a solution that was as clever as a cartload of monkeys.
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He thinks he’s as clever as a cartload of monkeys, but sometimes he goes too far.
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That idea is as clever as a cartload of monkeys!
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The team's strategy was as clever as a cartload of monkeys, catching their opponents completely off guard.
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His elaborate prank was as clever as a cartload of monkeys and had everyone laughing.
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She always comes up with solutions that are as clever as a cartload of monkeys, surprising her colleagues.
Synonyms
573
1.7
Understands things quickly and finds smart solutions
43
5.1
Clever at getting things by tricking people
31
4.9
Being clever in a secret way to trick others
5
7.0
Very quick to understand things and find answers
4
4.8
Able to think and give smart fast answers
Antonyms
How Clever
Surface Forms
Morphology
as + clever + as + a + cartload + of + monkey
The simile frame 'as ... as' combined with 'clever' and the literal image 'a cartload of monkeys' (many monkeys) makes the hyperbolic sense 'very clever' largely recoverable from the parts. However, the humorous/ironic nuance and the cultural association that monkeys imply mischief or cleverness are not fully predictable for a B1 learner, so some prior exposure helps.
Etymology
As clever as a cartload of monkeys shows a cartload full of monkeys, all busy, noisy and finding clever tricks. So it describes someone 'very clever' or 'cunning', often in a playful, naughty way.