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have a screw loose / missing
/hav ɐ skɹˈuː lˈuːs ɔː mˈɪsɪŋ/
/hæv ɐ skɹˈuː lˈuːs ɔːɹ mˈɪsɪŋ/
to have a screw loose / missing
[PHRASE]What is the origin of the idiom "have a screw loose" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "have a screw loose" is not definitively known, but it is believed to have originated from the mechanical world, where a loose or missing screw could cause a machine or device to malfunction. It can be used to highlight eccentricities, irrational thinking, or unusual actions, often in a light-hearted or humorous manner, though it should be used with caution to avoid causing offense.
Examples
1. You must have a few screws loose if you think jumping out of an airplane without a parachute is a good idea.
2. Or do you think that he must have had a few screws loose to live his life in the seemingly reckless way that he did?
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