not playing with a full deck

not playing with a full deck

1. Not mentally sound; crazy or mentally deranged. A: "Look at that guy talking to himself on the corner." B: "I reckon he's not playing with a full deck."

2. Not very bright or intelligent; dimwitted. Jim's a nice guy, but with some of the foolish things he does, I wonder if he's not playing with a full deck.

See also: deck, full, not, play

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not playing with a full deck

mentally deficient. North American informal

A deck in this phrase is a pack of playing cards.

See also: deck, full, not, play

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017