monkey on one's back

monkey on one's back

1. (figuratively) An addiction, especially to narcotic drugs.
   • 1972 July 24, "The Blue-Collar Blues," Time:

     Prine's balladeering also includes social comment, as in Sam Stone, a song about a veteran returning from "the conflict overseas with a Purple Heart and a monkey on his back."

   • 1949, Nelson Algren, "The Man With The Golden Arm":

     "You got my monkey, Dealer? You take my nice old monkey away from me? Is that monkey ridin' your back these days, Dealer?"

2. (figuratively) A state of persistent distress or worry or the cause of such a state.
   • 1922, D. H. Lawrence, "Wintry Peacock," in England, My England:

     "'E's got th' monkey on 'is back ower this letter job," said the father secretly to me.

• Chinaman on one's back

• albatross around one's neck

• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.