Go ape

Meaning

Lose control, typically by becoming angry or overly excited.

Usage

Describes dramatic emotional outbursts.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Draws on primate behavior to describe wild reactions.

Surfaced in the 1960s counterculture and mainstream slang.