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# the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top

phrase (idiom, a whole sentence; past: «didn't go all the way to the top»)

«the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top» 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, humorous, US) a person is not very clever, or is a bit mad.
2. (literal) the lift in a building doesn't reach the highest floor.

### In the lessons

One of a big family of jokey sayings («a few sandwiches short of a picnic», «two bricks shy of a load») that call someone stupid without the plain insult. American, humorous, often unkind behind someone's back. In real buildings the literal sense also occurs.

### Examples

- (gossip) He's nice enough, but the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.
- (chat) she asked if the moon was in Canada lol the elevator doesnt go all the way to the top
- (comedy) The sheriff's deputy? Let's just say his elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.
- (literal) In this old hotel the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top, so you walk the last two floors.
- (teacher, kinder version) Don't say "the elevator doesn't go to the top" about a classmate — it's unkind.
- (story) "His elevator doesn't go all the way to the top," muttered the boss.

### Note

Trap: in a story about a building it may be literal. As an insult it is still an insult, even if funny; saying it about a classmate is unkind. UK English says «lift» for elevator.