make a fool of

Idioms and Phrases

Also, make an ass or monkey out of . Cause someone or oneself to look foolish or stupid. For example, John doesn't mind making a fool of himself at parties , or They made an ass of me by giving me the wrong instructions , or Just watch him make a monkey out of this amateur chess player . The use of fool and ass date from the early 1600s; the latter is sometimes put more rudely as make a horse's ass of , alluding to a horse's behind. The use of monkey dates from about 1900.

Related Words

• confuse
• crush
• degrade
• demean
• depress
• disgrace
• humble
• shame
• snub
• subdue