missing a screw...

[bieasy]

Hi,

In French, when someone behaves strangely we use to say: "Il lui manque une vis." Which means word by word: "He's missing a screw" It's another way to qualify someone as crazy. Do you have a similar term in English?

[riverkid]

Hi,

In French, when someone behaves strangely we use to say: "Il lui manque une vis." Which means word by word: "He's missing a screw" It's another way to qualify someone as crazy. Do you have a similar term in English?

I think,

"He's got a screw loose"

is much more common.

There are other sayings denoting a shortage of what's needed;

She's a few bricks short of a load.

[Naamplao]

I think,

"He's got a screw loose"

is much more common.

There are other sayings denoting a shortage of what's needed;

She's a few bricks short of a load.

My favourite one is:

He is a few fries short of a happy meal.

[bieasy]

I think,

"He's got a screw loose"

is much more common.

There are other sayings denoting a shortage of what's needed;

She's a few bricks short of a load.

Shouldn't it be a "He's got a loose screw"?

[Naamplao]

Shouldn't it be a "He's got a loose screw"?

No Riverkid is correct this expression is very common and grammatically correct.

He's got a screw [that is] loose.

Your rewrite is correct grammatically too, but no one says it that way.

[Barb_D]

Oh, can't I add my favorite? A few clowns short of a full circus.

[riverkid]

Oh, can't I add my favorite? A few clowns short of a full circus.

Please do, and add some more, Barb.

His/her elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.

There's a light on but nobody's home.

[Naamplao]

Please do, and add some more, Barb.

His/her elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.

There's a light on but nobody's home.

I like this one from the movie "Green Mile"

His cheese done slipped off his cracker. (Not perfectly grammatic but funny)

[bieasy]

Please do, and add some more, Barb.

His/her elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.

There's a light on but nobody's home.

I'll never use the one with the elevator: I'm a little claustrophobic...