make a monkey out ofmake a monkey (out) of (someone)
old-fashioned to make someone seem stupid.
That's enough of your silly tricks. Nobody makes a monkey out of me!
make a monkey (out) of (someone or oneself)
To do something that makes someone (or oneself) seem stupid or ridiculous. I know Greg is only trying to impress Lisa, but he's making a monkey out of himself by telling so many corny jokes.I'm not going to dance too much at the party because I don't want to make a monkey out of myself in front of my coworkers.