make a monkey of someone—(U.S. sl.) mock a person; cause smb. to look ridiculous (also: make a monkey out of someone):
- At the thought of George Zen laughed outright. She had made a monkey of him, and he deserved all he had got.
monkey someone—imitate smb.’s manner or style:
- Speaking about original bands (meaning not monkeying others), I was surprised how many bands stay firmly in their genre, adding nothing original.
See also: go ape over someone / play the sedulous ape to someone.