Few bricks short of a load

[Johnyxxx]

Hello,

I like the phrase one uses to describe a person that is not clever too much To be few bricks sort of a load, but may I say He is many bricks short of a load to intensify it?

Thanks a lot

 

[MikeNewYork]

That would not be idiomatic.

 

[Rover_KE]

The point is that understatement is the kinder option. We try not to be too offensive to those who are less clever than ourselves.

 

[SoothingDave]

"...shy of a load' is how I am used to hearing it.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

1. "He was ... about ten bricks short of a load." -- ALL I HAVE (2015), Google result.

2. "I told her, have to be ten bricks short of a load to pull a stunt like that." --THE BLIND ASSASSIN (2007), Google result.

3. " 'He's ten bricks short of a load,' Stanton agreed. 'But he's [as] strong as a grizz[ly bear].' " -- THE TRAILSMAN (2014), Google result.

 

[Tdol]

I like the phrase one uses to describe a person that is not clever too much To be few bricks sort of a load, but may I say He is many bricks short of a load to intensify it?

How about saying that he is a fair few bricks shy/short of a load?

 

[bhaisahab]

You could also use "A sandwich short of a picnic". I particularly like that one. ;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

That's one of my favourites too though I've always used "Two sandwiches short of a picnic".

 

[bhaisahab]

My late father used to say "He's only four pence in the shilling". I don't know if it was unique to him or if others know of the expression.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I like 3 fries short of a Happy Meal.