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have bats in one's belfry

Meaning: Harmlessly crazy or eccentric.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: The Absurd

Origin: A belfry is the tower of a church where the bell hangs, and is analogous to one's head. If a person has room for bats in his head, his head is full of space rather than brains.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • bottoms up! — A call to drink; to empty one's glass.
  • bring down the house — To be a great success.
  • by hook or by crook — By one way or another; by any means possible.
  • cast pearls before swine — To offer something to someone who cannot appreciate it.
  • clown around — To act silly.
  • come off it! — A response to a statement that cannot be believed (sentence 1) or a behavior that must be…

More English idioms

  • beat a hasty retreat — To run very fast in the opposite direction.
  • beat someone to the punch — To do something before someone else does it.
  • behind the eight ball — In a difficult situation or position.
  • hit someone below the belt — To act unfairly.
  • beside oneself — Distraught; very anxious and troubled.
  • beside the point — Irrelevant.

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