1 C1 idiomatic slang
OFFENSIVE SLUR — Do not use. Purports to mean: to lose emotional control and behave erratically or aggressively. The term is racist and unacceptable.
inseparable
chimp out
C1 slang intransitive
A deeply offensive slur used to describe someone losing emotional control; included here for awareness only.
In plain English
WARNING: This is a racist slur. It should never be used. It attempts to describe someone acting wildly or angrily.
What does "chimp out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To behave like a chimpanzee — the racist implication makes this a slur.
Actually means
WARNING: This is a racist slur. It should never be used. It attempts to describe someone acting wildly or angrily.
Usage tip
IMPORTANT: This term is a racist slur rooted in the dehumanization of Black people by comparing them to primates. It is not acceptable in any context. ESL learners should be aware it exists so they can recognize and avoid it. Use 'freak out,' 'flip out,' or 'lose it' instead.
How to conjugate "chimp out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
chimp out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chimps out
he/she/it
Past simple
chimped out
yesterday
Past participle
chimped out
have + pp
-ing form
chimping out
continuous
Hear "chimp out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "chimp out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.