on like Donkey Kong
phrase/ˈɒn laɪk ˈdɒŋki kɒŋ/UK/ˈɑn laɪk ˈdɑŋki kɑŋ/US
Etymology
From the Nintendo video game gorilla-like character Donkey Kong, which is used in the phrase because of the character’s stereotypical strength and for the near-rhyme between on and Kong; likely influenced by the earlier construction in like Flynn.
Definitions
An intensifier used in the same contexts as it's on, bring it on, come on, go on, and…
An intensifier used in the same contexts as it's on, bring it on, come on, go on, and other expressions using the word on, but to express greater emphasis.
- It's on like Donkey Kong / You wanted that fast buck / Now I gotta light that ass up
- If those four white police don't get hung, it's on again. It's on like Donkey Kong!
- Got it going on like Donkey Kong, and whoo-wee, shut my mouth, slap your grandma, there oughta be a law.
The neighborhood
Vish — recursive loop
No curated loop yet for on like Donkey Kong. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.
sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA