(slang, derogatory, offensive, intransitive) Of a black person, to behave aggressively or violently.
Mary drags the chimp out of the cage by one arm and picks up a riding crop and begins beating the tiny animal.
Mary drags the chimp out of the cage by one arm and picks up a riding crop and begins beating the tiny animal.
(slang, derogatory, offensive, intransitive) Of a black person, to behave aggressively or violently.
Chimp out means to lose your temper or behave wildly. Be aware that the phrase has historically been used as a racist slur against Black people; many find it offensive regardless of intent. If your kid is using it, gently raise the racial connotation and suggest "freak out" instead. If your kid uses it constantly, ask them where they first heard it, not to police their speech but to understand which online community they are in.
Chimp out means to lose your temper or behave wildly. Be aware that the phrase has historically been used as a racist slur against Black people; many find it offensive regardless of intent. If your kid is using it, gently raise the racial connotation and suggest "freak out" instead. If your kid uses it constantly, ask them where they first heard it, not to police their speech but to understand which online community they are in.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Add your own interpretation of "chimp out".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with C.
(slang, derogatory, offensive, ethnic slur) An aggressive or violent outburst by a black person.
(offensive, ethnic slur) A black person.
(Internet slang, derogatory, ethnic slur, offensive) A black female.
(informal, often, pejorative) To get very excited when showing images on a digital camera.
There's a great story in my book about a keeper who let a chimp out into a larger yard and the chimp handed her a piece of celery.
Chimp out is informal slang meaning to lose control of one's temper, but it carries strong racist connotations when applied to Black individuals and is widely considered offensive. Use formal equivalents instead: "lose control," "have a meltdown," "freak out." Common non-native mistake: assuming the phrase is racially neutral. Many native speakers will perceive it as racist regardless of who is being described.
“Mary drags the chimp out of the cage by one arm and picks up a riding crop and begins beating the tiny animal.”
“Mary drags the chimp out of the cage by one arm and picks up a riding crop and begins beating the tiny animal.”
“There's a great story in my book about a keeper who let a chimp out into a larger yard and the chimp handed her a piece of celery.”
“There's a great story in my book about a keeper who let a chimp out into a larger yard and the chimp handed her a piece of celery.”
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(slang, offensive, derogatory, ethnic slur) A derogatory name for Chicago, Illinois, United States, with reference to its African-American population.