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have a screw loose

have a screw loose {v. phr.}, {slang}

To act in a strange way; to be foolish.

Now I know he has a screw loose — he stole a police car this time.

He was a smart man but had a screw loose and people thought him odd.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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loose

[loose] See: [AT LOOSE ENDS], [CAST OFF] or [CAST LOOSE], [CUT LOOSE], [PLAY FAST AND LOOSE], [HAVE A SCREW LOOSE], [LET LOOSE] or [SET LOOSE] or [TURN LOOSE], [ON THE […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

screw

[screw] See: [HAVE A SCREW LOOSE], [PUT ON THE SCREWS]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

let loose

[let loose] {v.} 1a. or [set loose] or [turn loose] To set free; loosen or give up your hold on. * /The farmer opened the gate and let the bull […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

cut loose

[cut loose] {v.} 1. To free from ties or connections, cut the fastenings of. * /The thief hastily cut the boat loose from its anchor./ Compare: [LET LOOSE] (1a). 2. […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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