have a screw loose

have a screw loose

To be or seem particularly silly, eccentric, crazy, or mentally unstable. (Also worded as "have a loose screw.") That guy on the corner must have a screw loose or something, because he's been standing out there yelling obscenities at passersby all morning. My old uncle Pete has a few screws loose, but he's a really nice guy. What's the matter with you? Do you have a screw loose, or what?

See also: have, loose, screw

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have a screw loose

 and have a loose screw; have got a screw loose

Inf. Fig. to be silly or eccentric. He's sort of strange. I think he's got a loose screw. Yes, he has a screw loose somewhere. He wears a heavy jacket in the middle of summer.

See also: have, loose, screw

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have a screw loose

Be mentally unstable or eccentric, as in Anyone who approves that purchase must have a screw loose. This term likens a mental weakness to a machine in which a part is not securely fastened. An antonym is have one's head screwed on right; for example, She's very capable; she has her head screwed on right. [Slang; early 1800s]

See also: have, loose, screw

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

have a screw loose

INFORMAL

If someone has a screw loose, they are crazy. He must have a screw loose, spending that sort of money on a holiday! She looked at me as if I had a screw loose. Note: The image is of a piece of machinery that needs to be adjusted or repaired.

See also: have, loose, screw

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

have a screw loose

be slightly eccentric or mentally disturbed. informal

See also: have, loose, screw

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

have a ˈscrew loose

be slightly crazy: He dresses his cats up in little coats for the winter. Sometimes I think he must have a screw loose. OPPOSITE: have your head screwed on (the right way)

See also: have, loose, screw

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

have a screw loose

and have a loose screw

tv. to be silly or eccentric. (Have got can replace have.) He’s sort of strange. I think he’s got a loose screw. You’re talking like you’ve got a screw loose or something.

See also: have, loose, screw

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

have a screw loose

Slang

To behave in an eccentric or mentally deranged manner.

See also: have, loose, screw

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

screw loose, to have a

To be eccentric or peculiar. To think or act crazily. This term likens a malfunctioning machine or tool, in which a screw needs to be tightened, to a disordered human mind. It originated early in the nineteenth century. “A genius with a screw loose, as we used to say,” wrote Edward Fitzgerald in 1833 (Letters).

See also: have, screw, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer