Explanations + Quiz
Expressions About Being Crazy or Acting Stupid
- He’s nuts.
This means he acts in a strange or silly way.
Example: “Did you hear what he said? He’s nuts!” - He’s a nutcase.
This is a fun way to say someone is crazy or unpredictable.
Example: “She forgot her own birthday! What a nutcase!” - His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor.
This means he is not very smart or has unusual thoughts.
Example: “He thought it was a good idea to swim in the winter. His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor.” - He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
This expression suggests that he is missing some common sense or intelligence.
Example: “You really think he can fix the car by himself? He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic.” - He’s out of his mind.
This means he is acting very strangely or irrationally.
Example: “He tried to start a band with just his cat! He’s out of his mind.” - He’s not playing with a full deck.
This means he lacks intelligence or is not thinking clearly.
Example: “He thinks he can run a marathon without training. He’s not playing with a full deck.” - He’s got a few screws loose.
This means he has some problems with his thinking or behavior.
Example: “She talks to her plants every day. I think she’s got a few screws loose.” - He’s not all there.
This means he seems absent-minded or not fully aware.
Example: “He forgot where he parked his car again. He’s not all there today.” - He’s cuckoo for cocoa puffs.
This is a playful way to say someone is acting crazy or silly.
Example: “After that roller coaster ride, he’s cuckoo for cocoa puffs!” - He’s a little off.
This means he seems different or strange compared to others.
Example: “She wears pajamas to the grocery store; she’s a little off.” - He’s a little slow.
This means he is not quick to understand things or is a bit behind.
Example: “It took him ten minutes to get the joke. He’s a little slow.” - He’s special.
This is a gentle way to say someone is different or not typical.
Example: “He makes his own clothes out of cardboard. I guess he’s special.” - He’s something else.
This means he is unique or unusual, often in a crazy way.
Example: “He dances in public for fun. He’s something else!” - The lights are on but nobody’s home.
This means he looks like he is there, but he is not thinking clearly.
Example: “When I asked him a question, he just stared at me. The lights are on but nobody’s home.” - He’s insane / deranged / demented / mentally challenged.
These words describe someone who has serious mental problems or is very unusual.
Example: “He thinks he’s the king of the world. He must be insane.” - To become unhinged.
This means to lose control or act in a crazy way.
Example: “After losing his job, he became unhinged and started yelling at everyone.” - He’s a weirdo / wacko / whack job.
These are informal terms to describe someone who behaves very strangely.
Example: “He talks to himself all the time. What a weirdo!” - He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
This means he is not very intelligent.
Example: “He thought a shark was a fish. He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.” - He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
This is similar to the previous expression, meaning he is not very smart.
Example: “He couldn’t figure out how to use a toaster. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.” - He’s mad as a hatter.
This means he is completely crazy or silly.
Example: “He wears a different costume every day. He’s mad as a hatter.”
Quiz: Expressions About Being Crazy or Acting Stupid
1. Your friend is acting strangely at a party. What do you say?
a) “He’s nuts.”
b) “He has nuts.”
c) “He’s nutty.”
2. Someone keeps making silly mistakes. How do you describe them?
a) “He’s a nutcase.”
b) “He’s nut.”
c) “He’s a nutman.”
3. A friend suggests a bizarre plan. What do you think?
a) “His elevator isn’t working.”
b) “His elevator is broken.”
c) “His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor.”
4. You overheard someone saying something really odd. What do you say?
a) “He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic.”
b) “He’s doesn’t have enough sandwiches.”
c) “He’s a few sandwiches less.”
5. Your coworker is acting very strangely at work. How do you describe them?
a) “He’s out of his mind.”
b) “He’s out of mind.”
c) “He’s out of his thoughts.”
6. Someone is confused during a game. What do you say?
a) “He’s not playing with full cards.”
b) “He’s not playing with a full deck.”
c) “He’s not playing with all the cards.”
7. Your friend does strange things regularly. What do you say?
a) “He’s got a few screws loose.”
b) “He’s got one screw loose.”
c) “He’s got loose screws.”
8. Your neighbor seems a bit confused lately. What do you say?
a) “He’s not all there.”
b) “He’s not there at all.”
c) “He’s not really there.”
9. Someone in class is acting silly. How do you describe them?
a) “He’s cuckoo for chocolate puffs.”
b) “He’s cuckoo for cocoa puffs.”
c) “He’s cuckoo for sweets.”
10. A classmate is dressed unusually. What do you say?
a) “He’s a little off.”
b) “He’s a little out.”
c) “He’s a little nut.”
11. Someone is struggling to understand the lesson. How do you describe them?
a) “He’s a little late.”
b) “He’s a little behind.”
c) “He’s a little slow.”
12. A friend is doing things differently than others. What do you say?
a) “He’s special.”
b) “He’s unique.”
c) “He’s different.”
13. You see someone acting strangely in public. What do you say?
a) “He’s something else.”
b) “He’s anything else.”
c) “He’s everything else.”
14. Someone looks confused when you talk to them. What do you say?
a) “The lights are on but nobody’s home.”
b) “The lights are out but nobody’s home.”
c) “The lights are on but no one is there.”
15. The police arrested a man for many terrible crimes. What do you say?
a) “He’s insane.”
b) “He’s deranged.”
c) “He’s just silly.”
16. Your friend lost control during an argument. What do you say?
a) “He became unhinged.”
b) “He got hinged.”
c) “He got upsetted.”
17. You see someone acting really strange. How do you describe them?
a) “He’s a weirdo.”
b) “He’s a freak.”
c) “He’s a stranger.”
18. Someone is struggling to understand a simple idea. What do you say?
a) “He’s not the smart person.”
b) “He’s not the sharpest knife in the box.”
c) “He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.”
19. A friend is having trouble with a basic task. What do you say?
a) “He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
b) “He’s not the smartest tool in the shed.”
c) “He’s not the brightest tool in the shed.”
20. You hear someone say something really silly and then laugh crazily. What do you say?
a) “He’s mad as a hatter.”
b) “He’s crazy as a hatter.”
c) “He’s silly as a hatter.”
Answer Key:
- a) “He’s nuts.”
- a) “He’s a nutcase.”
- c) “His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor.”
- a) “He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic.”
- a) “He’s out of his mind.”
- b) “He’s not playing with a full deck.”
- a) “He’s got a few screws loose.”
- a) “He’s not all there.”
- b) “He’s cuckoo for cocoa puffs.”
- a) “He’s a little off.”
- c) “He’s a little slow.”
- a) “He’s special.” b) “He’s unique.” c) “He’s different.”
- a) “He’s something else.”
- a) “The lights are on but nobody’s home.”
- a) “He’s insane.” b) “He’s deranged.”
- a) “He became unhinged.”
- a) “He’s a weirdo.” b) “He’s a freak.”
- c) “He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.”
- a) “He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
- a) “He’s mad as a hatter.”