make a monkey (out) of sb

What is the origin of the idiom "make a monkey of" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "make a monkey of" can be traced back to British slang from the 19th century. The phrase likely evolved from earlier expressions such as "make a jackass of" or "make a fool of," which were used to describe situations where someone embarrassed or humiliated another person. This phrase is used to describe the act of embarrassing or ridiculing someone by making them appear foolish or inept, typically through practical jokes, deceit, or trickery. It implies that the person has been made to look like a fool in a situation. This idiom is informal and is often used to highlight someone's clever or cunning ability to deceive or outwit another person.