gorilla suit

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A tough, hypermasculine demeanor that keeps other people at a distance.

   • As I mentioned here with the case of Richard Garwood, so many people come to us wearing a gorilla suit. They are all tough guys and wearing a role.
   • As Laurie Stone argues in the Nation, Hoch reveals that hip-hop masculinity can sometimes become a “gorilla suit that keeps at bay emotional expressiveness ...and vulnerability.".
2. 2

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: A gorilla costume.

   • All of the components of the gorilla suit are adapted to each other, are mutually complementary and form a gorilla costume that would not normally be sold separately in parts.
   • Apparently their gorilla had died, and until they could get a new one, they needed someone to dress up in a gorilla suit and act like a gorilla for a few days.
   • I saw a mother with a bikini over her gorilla suit pushing a pram with a baby inside who was wearing a tiny gorilla suit.

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