A demand to speak with the person in authority or the principal decision maker rather than with an assistant, subordinate, or intermediary.
A metaphorical way to request that one deal with the source of control or responsibility rather than with someone who merely performs tasks on their behalf.
Examples:
EN: I'm talking to the organ grinder, not the monkey!
ES: ¡A Vd. le hablo, no a ese mono!
EN: I want the organ grinder, not the monkey.
ES: Quiero al dueño del circo, no al mono.
EN: I'll speak to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
ES: Hablaré con el dueño del circo, no con el último mono.
EN: We expected the organ grinder, not the monkey.
ES: Esperábamos al que mueve los hilos, no a su mono.
ID: Kami mengharapkan wanita cantik, bukan seekor monyet.
EN: I came here to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
ES: Vine a hablar con el dueño del circo, no con los animales.
EN: I'm talking to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
ES: Estoy hablando con la organillera, no con el mono.
EN: No disrespect, but I was expecting the organ grinder, not the monkey.
ID: Bukan tidak menghargai, kupikir aku disambut dengan organ tunggal, bukan topeng monyet.