organ grinder
The term "organ grinder" originates from street musicians who played barrel organs, and it has evolved to include a figurative meaning related to control and responsibility.
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Definition
B2Street Performance
(historical)A street musician who plays a barrel organ to entertain passersby and earn money.
Example
- The organ grinder played cheerful tunes on the street corner, attracting a small crowd.
C1Figurative
(humorous, idiomatic)The person who has the real power or control in a situation, as opposed to a subordinate.
Example
- In any negotiation, it's important to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "organ grinder":
monkey showorgan stopmonkey businessmonkey manmonkey upshake that monkeymonkey boygorilla pimpmonkey grass