Home US English not playing with a full deck

Definition of not playing with a full deck in English:

not playing with a full deck

phrase

informal North American

  • Mentally deficient.

    • ‘this guy has a screw loose—he wasn't playing with a full deck’
    • ‘‘He was obviously not playing with a full deck,’ Sergeant Petcoff said.’
    • ‘Vivaldo quickly deduces that Don Quijote is not playing with a full deck, but continues to converse and question him; curious as to the extent of his delusion.’
    • ‘The innkeeper now knew, without a doubt, that his guest is not playing with a full deck and he decides to have some fun and play along.’
    • ‘And poor Ray Liotta: his over-the-top work as Duvall's sniggering superior suggests an actor not playing with a full deck.’
    • ‘Unfortunately, Prinny didn't realise that Jimmy wasn't playing with a full deck.’