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# not the sharpest knife in the drawer

idiom (noun phrase used after «be»: not the sharpest knife in the drawer)

«not the sharpest knife in the drawer» 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 call someone not clever; «sharp» means both «able to cut» and «clever». Humorous register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he's honest.
- I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer before my coffee.
- Our cat isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer — she chases her tail all day.
- The thief who left his ID at the crime scene was not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
- She's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, bless her.
- Let's be kind — he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he tries.

### Note

It is a pun on «sharp» = clever. Still an insult. Plain words: not clever, stupid.