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# not all there

phrase (adjective phrase used after «be»: he's not all there, she's not all there)

«not all there» 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. (euphemism, informal) not completely sane, or a bit slow in the mind.
2. (informal) not paying attention; confused or half asleep.

### In the lessons

Used to suggest someone is mentally ill, odd or slow without saying it directly; can be gossip or teasing. Everyday register, all English-speaking countries; it can be unkind about people with real mental illness.

### Examples

- The old man next door isn't all there, poor thing.
- Sorry, I'm not all there this morning — I didn't sleep.
- Don't listen to him, he's not all there.
- She seems a bit vague, not quite all there.
- You put the milk in the oven? You're not all there today, are you?
- He was not all there after the bump on his head, so the coach took him off.

### Note

It does not mean someone is missing a body part. It can hurt: avoid it about people with real illnesses or disabilities. Plain words: mad, confused, slow.