Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a-screw-loose/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / a screw loose

# a screw loose

phrase (idiom; to have a screw loose)

«a screw loose» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (informal) to be a bit mad, crazy or odd.
2. (literal) a screw that is not tight.

### In the lessons

Very common joke, all regions; banter, gossip, stories; can hurt when said about mental illness.

### Examples

- He must have a screw loose to climb that cliff.
- You've got a screw loose if you think I'll lend you my bike again.
- The chair wobbles; there's a screw loose.
- Gossip: «She's lovely but has a screw loose.»
- Joke: «I'm not crazy, I just have a few screws loose.»
- Story: «The inventor was said to have a screw loose, but his machine worked.»

### Note

Stands for «mad». Literal for furniture or machines. Rude about people with mental illness.