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# not the brightest bulb

idiom (noun phrase used after «be»: not the brightest bulb, not the brightest bulb in the box)

«not the brightest bulb» 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

(euphemism, humorous) not very clever.

### In the lessons

Used jokingly to say someone is not clever, with «bright» meaning both «shining» and «clever». Humorous register, mainly USA, also elsewhere.

### Examples

- He's not the brightest bulb, but he's very kind.
- Let's just say our cousin isn't the brightest bulb in the box.
- I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to computers.
- She's not the brightest bulb on the tree, but she's a great singer.
- Leaving the oven on all night? Not the brightest bulb, are we?
- Our new puppy isn't the brightest bulb — he barks at his own reflection.

### Note

It is a pun: «bright» = giving light and «bright» = clever. Still an insult. Many variants: «not the sharpest tool», «not the brightest spark». Plain words: not clever, stupid.