1.You might hear that same teacher warn a student not to "monkey around" with a valuable piece of equipment.
monkey around 鬼混,胡闹
Don't monkey around here, boys!
孩子们,不要在这里捣蛋 。
It is dangerous to monkey around in the workshop.
在车间里胡闹是危险的 。
2.Some people "make a monkey out of" themselves by acting foolish or silly.
make a monkey out of 捉弄;戏弄
How dare they try to make a monkey out of me?
他们怎敢想愚弄我?
He had mocked the laws and made a monkey out of the lawmen.
他藐视法律,戏弄执法人员 。