eine Schraube locker haben
Meaning: To be slightly eccentric or mentally unbalanced.
Language: German
Literally: to have a screw loose
Category: The Absurd
Origin: The image draws on the idea of a machine with a missing or loosened screw failing to function properly—applied metaphorically to a person's mind or sanity.
More idioms — The Absurd
- gehüpft wie gesprungen — It makes no difference; the distinction between two things is negligible.
- vom Hundertsten ins Tausendste kommen — To jump chaotically from one topic or thought to another without finishing any of them.
- arrampicarsi sugli specchi — to attempt to defend an indefensible position or grasp at straws.
- farsene un baffo — to not care at all; to be indifferent to something.
- pendaglio da forca — A person who deserves to be hanged; a worthless scoundrel.
- dannarsi l'anima — To work extremely hard or exert oneself to the utmost.
More German idioms
- im Sturm nehmen — To achieve sudden and overwhelming success or popularity.
- über den Jordan gehen — To die.
- kein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein — To be a person whose background, reputation, or history is already known.
- einen Vogel zeigen — To gesture dismissively or insultingly, usually by mimicking a cuckoo or making a mocking…
- die Hände in den Schoß legen — To be idle or inactive; to do nothing while waiting or while problems accumulate.
- etwas auf seine Kappe nehmen — To accept blame or responsibility for something.