Grease monkey Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɡɹis/ /ˈməŋki

GREESS MUN-kee

UK

ɡɹˈiːs/ /mˈʌnki

grees MUN-kee

Definition

A slang term for a person who repairs or works on cars, especially a mechanic.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and mostly used in the US. Can sound playful, teasing, or affectionate; not highly offensive but not used in formal contexts. Refers specifically to car mechanics and sometimes other machinery workers. Avoid calling someone this at their workplace unless you know them well.

• Spanish: mecánico (coloquial) - manitas (coloquial)
• Portuguese (BR): mecânico (gíria) - mecânico de automóveis
• Portuguese (PT): mecânico (gíria) - mecânico de automóveis
• Chinese (Simplified): 修车工（俚语） - 机械师（俚语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 修車工（俚語） - 機械師（俚語）
• Hindi: मेकैनिक (अमौलिक)
• Arabic: ميكانيكي (كناية) - عامل ورشة (عامية)
• Bengali: মেকানিক (আঞ্চলিক/স্ল্যাং)
• Russian: автомеханик (разг.)
• Japanese: 整備士（俗語）
• Vietnamese: thợ sửa xe (tiếng lóng) - thợ máy
• Korean: 정비공 (속어) - 자동차 정비사
• Turkish: tamirci (argo)
• Urdu: مکینک (غیر رسمی)
• Indonesian: montir (slang) - mekanik

Example Sentences

My uncle is a grease monkey at the local garage.

basic

A grease monkey can fix your car quickly.

basic

He became a grease monkey after high school.

basic

Don’t let the term grease monkey fool you—Jake’s a real expert.

natural

Growing up, I always wanted to be a grease monkey like my dad.

natural

These days, being a grease monkey means knowing a lot about technology too.

natural