Monkey branching - meaning and definition
Alsomonkey barring
Definition
Lining up a new partner before leaving a current relationship, like a monkey that only lets go of one branch once it has grabbed the next.
At a glance
- Means securing a new partner before ending the current relationship.
- Named after monkeys swinging from branch to branch.
- The current partner is usually unaware.
- Often overlaps with emotional affairs.
- Can be driven by a fear of being single.
In detail
A person who is monkey branching starts building a connection with someone new, often emotionally and sometimes physically, while still with their partner. They leave only when the next relationship feels secure.
Because the current partner usually does not know, it is often experienced as a form of infidelity or emotional affair. Some people do it out of fear of being alone, which can be worth exploring with a therapist.
In a sentence
- She was monkey branching for months before the breakup, so the new boyfriend appeared overnight.
- I do not want to monkey branch, so I am ending things before I date anyone else.
Not to be confused with
- Rebound
A rebound starts after a breakup; monkey branching starts before the old relationship has ended.
Common questions
Is monkey branching cheating?
It depends on what happened and on the couple's agreements, but most people see hiding a developing relationship as a breach of trust, close to an emotional affair.